Culinary not yet on Titus’ dance card

By J. Patrick Coolican (contact)

Friday, March 3, 2006 | 10:43 a.m.

Sen. Dina Titus has racked up a number of big-time endorsements from labor unions in her bid to become the Democratic nominee for governor: teachers, firefighters, public employees, among others. One, however, is conspicuously absent - the Culinary Union.

With its 50,000-plus members and renowned grass-roots political operation, the union could be a driving force in the Democratic primary between Titus, the Senate minority leader, and Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson. Titus would seem a natural fit for Culinary, with her statewide profile, strong record on labor issues and the support of other Nevada unions.

But Culinary is taking a pass.

Culinary Secretary-Treasurer D. Taylor said the union simply has other priorities, which include increasing the minimum wage.

Others say the real answer is more complex. Taylor is known as being careful in the political arena and isn't about to take a chance with an early endorsement.

"Endorsement is a risky thing," said David Damore, a political science professor at UNLV. "Your candidate doesn't win in the primary, and all of the sudden you have no candidate."

A Democratic state senator agreed.

"They probably feel like Mayor Gibson is a person they could deal with if he wins, so they wouldn't want to alienate him," said Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, who added that he thinks the Culinary's rank and file will probably back Titus in the primary regardless of the leadership's neutrality.

Taylor said the union will look at candidates who survive the August primary. If history is any guide, the Democratic winner won't have a lock on the union's support.

People who have worked with the union in the past say Taylor's concern about backing a loser will almost certainly extend to the general election, which could make the union reluctant to back a Democrat in a state that has tilted Republican in recent years.

If the union endorses the wrong candidate, it could face a hostile governor. It also could severely weaken Culinary's hand during the 2007 legislative session and as it heads to the bargaining table for contract talks with casinos, political scientists say.

Eric Herzik, a political science professor at UNR, noted that the union has a "history of pragmatism." It's born of Taylor's sharp political instincts, say those who know him.

The union "has been blessed with effective political leadership," said Democrat Richard Bryan, a former U.S. senator and governor. "D. Taylor has a good head for politics and is enormously helpful to his members for that reason. He adds a dimension of political sophistication."

An example of this sophistication appears in pundit Jon Ralston's book "The Anointed One," about the 1998 gubernatorial race that elected Republican Kenny Guinn. Democratic candidate Jan Jones, then mayor of Las Vegas, said that Taylor bluntly told her, "Look, if you run, you'll be a sacrificial lamb." Culinary has been on the winning side of gubernatorial races since at least 1994.

Taylor's eyes are probably scanning the horizon, say people who have dealt with him, trying to figure out if the more natural ally the Democrat can win in a state that has gone Republican in recent elections.

Can Titus be the first woman elected governor In Nevada? Can Gibson, the more conservative Democrat, make it out of the Democratic primary? Can either defeat the Republican front-runner Rep. Jim Gibbons, with his massive Beltway money advantage? Or, for that matter, Republican Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt or conservative Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas?

Another stumbling block for Titus could be her personality. She can be abrasive, especially with her political allies, say people who know her.

Coffin, who has endorsed Titus, acknowledged this aspect of her personality while praising her leadership abilities. "She's tough, abrasive, yes. But she knows how to bring people together and forge alliances and when to use that Southern drawl or have a sharp tongue."

For her part, Titus points to her solid labor record and said she's working hard for the Culinary endorsement and expects to get it. Through a spokesman, Gibson said, "I respect the union's decision and look forward to earning an endorsement during the general election."

J. Patrick Coolican can be reached at 259-8814 or at patrick.coolican@lasvegassun.com.