Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006 | 7:14 a.m.
There are 42 members of the Assembly, which is the lower house of the Nevada Legislature. Clark County is represented by 28 Assemblymen, whose seats are up for re-election on Nov. 7. Today the Las Vegas Sun offers its endorsements of candidates running for those seats.
Democrat Marilyn Kirkpatrick, the incumbent in District 1, is known for establishing close contact with her constituents through town hall meetings, newsletters, e-mails, phone calls and personal letters. We like that about her, and we like where she stands on the issues, particularly her support for a greater investment in education. The Sun endorses Marilyn Kirkpatrick.
First-time candidate Carlos Blumberg, a real estate attorney, said he is running for the District 2 seat to provide better representation than the Republican incumbent, Garn Mabey. He was upset that Mabey voted against the prescription drug bill that allows senior citizens access to less-expensive Canadian pharmacies. Blumberg also said that while Mabey tends to vote against education funding, he will be a strong advocate for such issues as higher salaries for teachers and full-day kindergarten. The Sun endorses Carlos Blumberg.
Peggy Pierce, the two-term Democratic incumbent in District 3, says health care is a right, not a privilege - a statement with which we cannot argue given the accessibility difficulties that so many people encounter. She is also a strong proponent of increased education funding, mass transportation for Clark County and of Nevada being home to more renewable energy companies. The Sun endorses Peggy Pierce.
The one-term Republican incumbent in District 4, Francis Allen, has shown she is out of touch with Nevada's needs. For example, she voted against a sales-tax measure to hire more Metro Police officers. Growth in Clark County is such that more police officers are a necessity for public safety. She also voted against raising the minimum wage, even after 68 percent of the voters in the November 2004 general election voted yes on a similar ballot question. The Sun offers no endorsement in this race.
Democrat Dawn Dudas, whose mother served on the state Board of Education and whose father served on the Board of Regents, says education is her No. 1 priority. She is a first-time candidate, opposing two-term Republican Assemblywoman Valerie Weber. Dudas says she will work to end the lingering friction between the northern and southern parts of the state and to reach bipartisan consensus. With her passion for progress on many fronts, including health care, she earns our nod for the District 5 seat. The Sun endorses Dawn Dudas.
In District 7, 20-year Assemblyman Morse Arberry Jr. is the clear choice. With the Democrat's experience and consistent record of voting for improved state services, he has earned another term. The Sun endorses Morse Arberry Jr.
Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, a Democrat representing District 8, is well-respected by Republicans and Democrats alike. She has been the consummate leader and has a long record of accomplishment in her six terms, especially on health care issues. The Sun endorses Barbara Buckley.
A third generation Nevadan with a family history of service, Richard "Tick" Segerblom, a Democrat running for the open seat in District 9, brings 20 years of legal experience and a good vision for improving education. The Sun endorses "Tick" Segerblom.
A Navy veteran and a former attorney for a number of federal agencies, Assemblyman Joseph Hogan understands government and how to improve it. The Democrat in District 10 did well in his freshman term and deserves another one. The Sun endorses Joseph Hogan.
The name Ohrenschall is a good fit for District 12. Democrat James Ohrenschall is seeking to succeed his mother, who has represented this district since 1995. Having grown up in a political family, he is well versed on the issues. He is particularly interested in representing the interests of the residents of the 19 mobile home parks in his district. The Sun endorses James Ohrenschall.
As a teacher of law, American politics and government at Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas, Adam Taylor is well qualified to represent District 13. Affordable health care, the environment and education are issues important to Taylor, who is opposing the two-term Republican incumbent, Chad Christensen. Taylor is a thoughtful candidate with good ideas. The Sun endorses Adam Taylor.
Assemblywoman Ellen Koivisto, a Democrat in District 14, has a solid record in her five terms, especially on health care issues. The Sun endorses Ellen Koivisto.
After three terms in the Assembly, John Oceguera, a Democrat in District 16, has an admirable track record of supporting and pushing creative solutions to improve education and health care. The Sun endorses John Oceguera.
A two-term assemblyman, Kelvin Atkinson, a Democrat in District 17, has pushed legislation to make it illegal for auto insurance companies to use a person's credit reports to set rates and has been a strong supporter of educational improvements such as all-day kindergarten. The Sun endorses Kelvin Atkinson.
Mark Manendo, a Democrat, has served in the Assembly for six terms and knows District 18 and its issues well. He pledges to support education improvements and quality-of-life issues such as graffiti abatement. The Sun endorses Mark Manendo.
First elected to the District 19 seat in 1998, Democrat Jerry Claborn is knowledgeable on a range of growth and social issues. He has been a good representative for his district's many senior citizens. The Sun endorses Jerry Claborn.
Assemblyman Joe Hardy, a Republican representing District 20, has been a voice of reason in his two terms in office. Hardy, a doctor, has supported more funding for education and other essential government services. The Sun endorses Joe Hardy.
Richard "Brian" Keene, a Clark County School District administrator, is conversant on the major issues facing Nevada, including education, health care, housing and energy. We believe he would well represent District 21. The Sun endorses Richard "Brian" Keene.
For District 22, the edge goes to Ruben Urias, a graduate of UNLV's Boyd School of Law. He believes the major issue of retaining good teachers is best addressed by offering them a comprehensive package, including merit pay, assistance with housing and smaller class sizes. His Republican opponent, Lynn Stewart, a retired high school government teacher, is an able candidate but we believe Urias' platform, which includes judicial reforms, is superior. The Sun endorses Ruben Urias.
RoseMary Womack, a candidate for District 23, is alarmed at the dropout rate in Nevada's at-risk schools. She proposes studying schools that are doing well and applying their findings to the schools with lesser achievement. She would like to expand the hours of the information-assistance 211 phone line for seniors, which she helped bring about. Other priorities are developing alternative energy sources and expanding business opportunities. The Sun endorses RoseMary Womack.
A retired Metro Police corrections officer, District 29 incumbent Susan Gerhardt did a commendable job in her first term. A Democrat, she is supportive of education, improved access to health insurance and greater protections for children. The Sun endorses Susan Gerhardt.
Elected to the District 41 seat in 1996, David Parks is an experienced Democratic leader who believes in greater state support for K-12 education as well as for the state's colleges and universities. Formerly the budget director for the city of Las Vegas, he believes that other key state services, in light of Nevada's growth, should receive additional priority in the state budget. The Sun endorses David Parks.
Other Clark County members of the Assembly are running unopposed. They are: Harvey Munford, District 6; Ruben Kihuen, District 11; Kathy McClain, District 15; Mo Denis, District 28, William Horne, District 34; Marcus Conklin, District 37; and Harry Mortenson, District 42.
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