Spurned candidate sets sights on primary

Tiffany Brown

Accountant Andrew Martin is challenging Robert Daskas for the chance to take on U.S. Rep. Jon Porter in November.

Tue, Apr 8, 2008 (2 a.m.)

As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was musing last year about recruiting boxer Oscar De La Hoya or tennis great Andre Agassi to run for Congress, Andrew Martin was burning up the phone lines and making his case as a candidate:

If it's 50-50, that means it's a race (4-2-2008)
OK, he was fourth on the list, but he's taking on Porter (9-19-2007)
Democrats to hit Porter on vets votes (6-29-2007)

Wealthy businessman.

Certified public accountant.

Economic policy chops.

Big checkbook.

But, Martin said, no one wanted to listen. Democratic leaders had their own list — and Martin wasn’t on it. After a series of potential candidates refused to run, the party establishment settled on its fourth pick: Robert Daskas, former lead homicide prosecutor for the Clark County district attorney.

Martin decided to run anyway for the seat now held by Republican Rep. Jon Porter, the three-term incumbent representing Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District.

“I have a calling to do this,” Martin said last week. “I care about our future and I’m cursed with understanding what they’re doing to us in Washington.”

But first, there’s the matter of what Washington did to Martin.

Martin had reached out to party elders — Reid and Rep. Shelley Berkley — and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in January 2007. He said he left 27 messages. No one returned his calls, he said.

So he met with the party’s chosen candidate in 2006, Tessa Hafen, and received her blessing, he said.

His filing of candidacy papers with the Federal Election Commission in May apparently caught the attention of the national campaign committee, whom Martin says finally scheduled a meeting, for July 23 at 4 p.m. The committee later canceled, citing a scheduling conflict, he said.

Indeed, Martin’s odyssey seems as much a reason for his candidacy as anything else.

“I think they made a terrible mistake in not handling me,” Martin said. “If it was meant to be that Robert Daskas would run for this seat, then call me in. Offer me a reason not to run. I may not have accepted it, but at least it would have been a respectful process.”

National Democrats and Republicans see the district as among the most competitive in the nation. Democrats have a 21,400-voter registration edge, a huge swing from 2006, when Porter won by just 3,900 votes.

As the party schools Daskas about campaigning, Martin is speaking at Democratic clubs and walking the district, pitching himself as the anti-establishment outsider.

“I had this idea about politics that when you run for office, a contested election is OK,” Martin said.

Some party leaders disagree. Martin’s war chest may force Daskas to spend money that will be valuable in a general election against a well-funded incumbent.

Martin’s year-end campaign filing reported $74,400 in cash on hand, with more than $100,000 in personal loans. (That compares with Daskas’ $310,000.) Martin said his first-quarter filing, however, will show he’s raised a total of $380,000 from 250 donors, and now has about $200,000 incash on hand.

Doug Thornell, a spokesman for the national campaign committee, said its backing of Daskas is based in part on financial and other kinds of support from voters.

Martin’s campaign, now on its second campaign manager, is still trying to find its footing. The year-end filing reported that more than 40 percent of the campaign’s expenditures, or $45,000, is for campaign staff and advisers, including two fundraising consultants. The filing also shows entries for a campaign manager, an event director, a communications director and a field director.

Becky Isais, Martin’s new campaign manager, is a former bartender whose previous political experience includes volunteer posts on failed campaigns — Hafen, Jack Carter and Dina Titus. She served as state director for former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel’s presidential campaign.

Nevertheless, the campaign has a list of 150 volunteers, Isais said.

As Martin campaigns, he is fine-tuning his criticisms. “He’s a nice man, but he’s a capital murder prosecutor,” Martin said of Daskas after a speech to a sleepy crowd at a Las Vegas restaurant. “Congress doesn’t try people for murder.”

The Daskas campaign declined to comment.

Martin supports an immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq. He’s billing himself as an expert on the economy. He advocates reducing the payroll tax and raising the income cap for Social Security. Nevada, he says, can be an energy exporter if it takes advantage of its renewable energy potential.

And yet there’s one hulking vulnerability: Martin is a Washington, D.C., transplant. He moved to the Las Vegas Valley in 2005.

Daskas is a native Nevadan who grew up in the district.

“I understand the sensitivity, but I’m not a carpetbagger,” Martin said. “There’s a difference between living in a community and being active in a community.”

He said he’s been involved in a number of causes in the district. And, he added, if party leaders don’t like his run, “that’s just too damn bad.”

Discussion: 7 comments so far…

By Johnathan_Abbinett

4/8/08 at 10:26 a.m.

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When I was first approached by Andrew Martin I was impressed with his demeanor and his personal style - but, it was obvious he was near totally clueless about how to prepare to run for office.

Though he has outstanding financial credentials - he has not done his homework and learned how to successfully field a campaign - when good people have been candid and honest with him, given him excellent advice tried to point him in the right direction. We need candidates that know how to listen actively and follow-up. On that count he has already failed miserably - such are the mistakes of amatuer making a run.

I know that a number of people have attempted to explain the ranking criteria applied to all new candidates and how that transfers into the tier system - but, Andrew failed to recognize how very important it is to strive to meet those critical criteria to increase his chances of running successfully.

Though he understands the money, he didn't fully understand the people component and how to put together a staff, let alone an effective GOTV focused volunteer field force. Nor did he fully uderstand the importance of communications and media. Again, he failed to demonstrate the basic ability to listen, and heed, sound advice from experienced political operatives!

So, the party kept looking for a good, strong candidate that knew how to listen and could become viable - and we lucked out in finding Robert Daskas to take on Jon Porter "The Puppet" and "Bush Bag Boy" who is a classic example of the kind of bum we need to vote out of office!

Andrew Martin is, truly, a really nice guy - but, it would be better for everyone, including Andrew, if he'd just accept the fact that he made some critical errors in not doing enough homework and adequately preparing before he launched a false start to his campaign. He'd save his money (and help Daskas save money too) and earn the favor of the party, the support of the people, and be in position to run for another office in the near future.

Andrew PLEASE realize that you are not even in Robert's league and the vast majority of the people, and political talent, and the party elders have already rallied around Robert Daskas and that's who we want to beat Porter - and it's not an annoitment! We're veterans of C.D. #3 and we backed Tom Gallagher, and Tessa Hafen and we fully intend to retire this rotten-to-the-core, radical, right-wing, nutcase Republican once and for all - join us!

Otherwise, the only painful response you're going to hear, regularly, is "no comment" and your campaign won't even gain legs - no one wants to see you fail barely crawling through this process and only damaging your own career!

You do not have to "quit" you can honorably "suspend" your campaign by joining the Democratic Party team - just make the call and cut a win/win deal now with the NSDP and DCCC so we can get you elected to an appropriate position next cycle!
By RebelRouser

4/8/08 at 3:23 p.m.

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Jonathan's comment is an interesting one - suggesting that Daskas, a man who hasn't voted in the last three elections, and has shown himself incapable of even telling interviewers what his positions are, was chosen over Martin because of Martin's lack of political savvy?
What are Daskas's specific positions? What are his plans? I'd really like to know, because I've never heard him able to say anything except for platitudes and generalities.
Martin knows money like no one else in government, and I think thats exactly what we need right now.
By TajAinlay

4/8/08 at 9:08 p.m.

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Let’s see if I understand this correctly, Johnathan.

Dario Herrera, Tom Gallagher, and Tessa Hafen apparently were candidates who “knew how to listen actively” to the “sound advice from experienced political operatives.” All three of them then lost to “rotten-to-the-core, radical, right-wing, nutcase Republican” Jon Porter.

Now the Democratic Party, after failing to attract three supposedly more qualified individuals as a CD3 candidate, is training Robert Daskas in the fine art of campaigning and winning elections. They are schooling him, and he is “listening,” because despite his long tenure here, he has no political background whatsoever, nor has he demonstrated any involvement in local Democratic politics until quite recently.

Meanwhile, Andrew Martin has been walking precincts and “listening” to voters in CD3. He has been attending meetings of the Democratic Clubs around the Valley, taking an active interest in the concerns of their members since early last year. He is a dues-paying member of and active contributor to the Nevada State Democratic Party and the Clark County Central Committee. He is an elected delegate to the County Convention.

Andrew Martin was also the very first person to endorse the Veteran’s Bill of Rights. In fact, he has taken a stand in support of our troops right in front of Jon Porter’s Henderson office. You were there, Johnathan. Remember last August’s heat? We were shoulder to shoulder protesting Porter’s pro-Bush and continued Iraq War positions.

You see, Andrew Martin already understands the issues. He knows what needs to be done. No one needs to teach him what to think or say. That’s why I trust Andrew Martin to represent me and CD3. I believe he has the best shot of unseating Jon Porter in November.

As for homicide prosecutor Robert Daskas, I've met him, and he is a good man. I believe he would make a great candidate for judge. It’s too late for him to file for the judicial elections coming up this year, but as you say, he can suspend his campaign and we can get him “elected to an appropriate position next cycle.” Or we can let the voters of CD3, not the NSDP or DCCC, decide who we want to replace Jon Porter in August. As a CD3 resident, I say, "Andrew Martin for Congress."
By hellokatze

4/8/08 at 11:40 p.m.

(Removed by the site staff)
By Johnathan_Abbinett

4/8/08 at 11:49 p.m.

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Dear "RebelRouser" you can easily find Robert Daskas' positions on his website www.daskasforcongress.com - just click on the tab titled "issues" to get the quick answers to your common questions - that's what serious people do, they just look it up on the web.

I was there last August and I do remember Andrew making a very brief appearance, but PUHLEEZE don't try to make it sound like Andrew was very well informed on Veterans Issues - he was not (in fact at that point in time he was nearly totally clueless) - and it's a stretch to try and give him any points for "being the very first person to endorse the Veteran's Bill of Rights" - that is simply not accurate and you know it!

HINT: Political wanna-bees pathetically attempting to pander to patriots does not earn our endearment or respect!

I've looked both of these men in the face and asked a series of specifically pointed questions - and there is no doubt in my mind that Robert Daskas is the far better candidate, he has the fight in his focus and the fire in the belly to win! That's why Harry, Shelley, the DCCC and so many of us are supporting Robert Daskas - it's just the smart thing to do!

I agree, Taj, ultimately the citizens who are registered Democratic voters in C.D. #3 will decide who wins the primary - so, I'll wish you a lot of good luck (because you're going to need all the luck you can get) going up against the clearly more qualified and favored candidate. Hey, as they say, may the best candidate win!
By TajAinlay

4/9/08 at 8:11 a.m.

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I have no doubt that a successful murder prosecutor can muster "fire in the belly" for a political campaign. But can he instigate economic reform? Can he protect Social Security and Medicare? Can he identify and help bring an end to waste and fiscal abuse in the federal government? Or would we better off electing a successful businessman and certified fraud examiner with experience in such matters?

My simple point, Johnathan, is that Andrew Martin has got answers, and he has taken action on his political beliefs. He doesn't just post carefully edited positions on the Internet. He's out in the community. He walks his talk.

Luck is found at the intersection of preparation and opportunity. Voters in CD3 deserve the opportunity to hear the two candidates openly discuss the issues we care about. Let's see who is best prepared to represent our interests in Washington. As a public servant whose livelihood has been persuading people to see things his way, Mr. Daskas should welcome a one-on-one debate with Andrew Martin.

BTW, I do read web sites. I personally cannot endorse any candidate who stops short of supporting healthcare coverage for every American. Simply lowering costs is not enough.
By LauraM

4/11/08 at 12:41 p.m.

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Jonathan your opinion is appreciated, but you and a handful of "old heads" in the Democratic party are not the instrument we use to gage the worthiness of a candidate.

I gave Daskas a chance. When asked about immigration at a "Donuts with Daskas" he said, build a fence. When asked about his plans for education, he said he didn't have one. When asked if he supported single-payer health care plans, he said he couldn't support it because it wouldn't get him elected.

I've seen Andrew all over this community for nearly a year. He really wants the people to know him and vote for him. He's not depending on some behind the scenes dealings to get elected.