Gleefully, Dems envision majority

By J. Patrick Coolican

Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007 | 7:03 a.m.

Nevada Democrats can taste it now, like that Asian flavor that entered their mouths Tuesday night when they walked into Cili for a high-dollar fundraiser.

With their lock on the Assembly, they are one Senate seat away from controlling the entire Legislature for the first time since 1991, giving them leverage over Gov. Jim Gibbons as he considers re election. It also would hand them the magical pens - the ability to draw their own legislative and congressional districts after the 2010 Census if they hold on to the Legislature.

In short, the Democrats would have the tools to shape Nevada politics and governance for the next decade.

Now, if only they can find a candidate or two.

In Southern Nevada, Democrats think they can knock off two Republican state senators : Joe Heck and Bob Beers. Although Republicans hold narrow registration advantages in both districts, Dina Titus won in both in last year's gubernatorial race, and both districts are trending Democratic in recent voter registration.

Tuesday, Senate Democrats took in at least $75,000 at a fund raiser, even though they don't have a candidate for either race.

In a sign of the significance of the races, and the worry they inspire in Republicans, Robert Uithoven will be Heck's main political consultant and has offered his services to Beers . Uithoven was the campaign manager for Gibbons and is credited with delivering victory despite Gibbons' shortcomings as a candidate.

Adding to the drama , the Democrats' effort will be led by Titus, the party's minority leader, who m Uithoven's candidate beat in the governor's race.

Uithoven said Heck and Beers are gearing up.

"I know they're both going to campaign anticipating tough, well-funded opponents in a tough campaign," Uithoven said.

Heck and Beers have the early advantage because they're able to campaign and raise money without opponents.

Heck raised $150,000 at a recent event, Beers $100,000. Uithoven said they will need to raise $500,000 apiece, though they're capable of raising more if needed, he said.

Beers is well-known in his district, and he has an affable demeanor that makes him a formidable door-to-door candidate. Heck is a physician and a colonel in the Army Reserve.

Beers said his constituents will credit him for holding the line on taxes, and Heck said he's been a leader on fiscal discipline while advocating for better health care.

Still, Titus, a Las Vegas Democrat, had a note of excitement in her voice when she talked about the two races.

She said she's had more interest from potential candidates than ever before. The Democrats are giving them a thorough once-over to make sure they have no hidden weaknesses, she said, refusing to disclose their names .

Another test for would-be candidates: no faint-of-heart types, she said. In other words, the races could get ugly.

Titus also said she has been getting offers of help from other members of her caucus, who can feel majority status in their grasp. As is evident from Tuesday's fundraiser, the big donors are returning calls, cognizant that power could switch hands, she said.

National party money also is expected to wash into the races for several reasons. The prospect that Democrats would redraw state and congressional district boundaries after the 2010 Census will bring in money from both sides.

Also, as Uithoven noted, Heck's district is squarely in the 3rd Congressional District, where Republican Rep. Jon Porter is sure to face a tough re election battle that will attract money from both national parties. Throw in the presidential race, and Heck's district will be awash in political money and talent.

A Senate shift would have immediate effects, because it would allow Democrats to push through their agenda on issues such as education, health care and transportation. Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley could drive through a broad agenda in preparation for her own potential run for governor, forcing Gibbons to react to her.

On the other hand, saying no to a Democratic Legislature could work to Gibbons' advantage by exciting his base.

But that could come at the stiff price of allowing Democrats to redraw legislative districts in their favor, and, perhaps most significantly, draw the expected additional congressional district Nevada will receive after the 2010 Census.

Every 10 years after the census, state Legislatures are tasked with re drawing legislative district lines to reflect population changes and honor the legal principal of "one man, one vote."

In recent decades, the party in power, aided by advanced computer software and driven by a fiercely competitive political landscape, has often used its majority status to draw the districts in its favor - to choose its voters.

As for Titus, long thought a potential congressional candidate, she would no doubt like to draw her own congressional district, right?

The question drew a laugh from Titus.