2008 ELECTION:

Copening defeats incumbent Beers

Senate goes to

By Brian Eckhouse (contact)

Published Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 | 7:54 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 | 11 p.m.

Sam Morris

Allison Copening spars with state Sen. Bob Beers in a debate Thursday.

Nevada Senate District 6

Nevada Senate races

Allison Copening has ousted incumbent State Sen. Bob Beers, a Republican, enabling the Democrats to wrest control of that body from the Republicans. With 100 percent of the vote in, Copening won with 53.2 percent of the vote to Beers' 46.8 percent.

The Democrats now have a majority on the state Senate.

Copening, who is in her mid-40s, is a breast cancer survivor and the president of the board of a nonprofit organization. As Sun reporters J. Patrick Coolican and David McGrath Schwartz wrote in an April profile (http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/25/beers-rival-nice-nice-enough/) of Copening, she’s universally described as nice but wasn’t as informed on policy at the time as other challengers.

By the fall, state Democratic leaders included Copening on conference calls when they unveiled aspects of their platform. Copening favors a proposed bill that would give renters who live in foreclosed homes the remainder of the month they’ve already paid for, rather than just three days as is common today.

Discussion: 8 comments so far…

By thebs

11/5/08 at 12:14 a.m.

Suggest removal

Somewhere, Jim Nance is crying.

Beers was at least a frustratingly enjoyable curmudgeon. He will be missed.

Copening's rise says more about the disastrous inaction of and lack of leadership of Governor Jim Gibbons. Buckley will have her majority, and thus Gibbons becomes a lame duck. (Or, at least even MORE of a lame duck)

Does Porter announce his candidacy for Gov tomorrow?
By Public_Education_NV

11/5/08 at 12:56 a.m.

Suggest removal

Congratulations to Allison Copening! She is a welcome change to the Nevada state senate. She worked a great campaign. I know she will work hard for Nevada, and I welcome her policies to improve Education and provide more water to southern Nevada as described in her last debate with the outgoing Beers.
By jfnance32

11/5/08 at 1:34 a.m.

Suggest removal

Yes, I am crying.
By jfnance32

11/5/08 at 1:37 a.m.

Suggest removal

"She worked a great campaign"

I needed to hear a good joke.
By jfnance32

11/5/08 at 1:38 a.m.

Suggest removal

"provide more water to southern Nevada as described in her last debate "

She said it will only cost $2 billion to do that.

Lets see how quickly she changes her tune on that one.
By renomuse

11/5/08 at 1:51 a.m.

Suggest removal

I'm with thebs. I enjoyed Senator Beers even though I didn't always agree with him.

I also agree that this win is to be blamed on Governor Gibbons and the rest of his corner of the Republican Party.
By johnevegas

11/5/08 at 4:30 a.m.

Suggest removal

nance - "Yes, I am crying."

Watch your beer, Jim.
By gmag39

11/5/08 at 8:41 a.m.

Suggest removal

thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Blue Morning, Blue Blue Day.