Wood wins race for North Las Vegas council seat

Richard Brian / Special to the Sun

North Las Vegas Ward 3 candidate Anita Wood makes last-minute Election Day calls Tuesday while sitting at her kitchen table.

By Jeff Pope (contact)

Published Tuesday, June 2, 2009 | 7:41 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, June 2, 2009 | 9:27 p.m.

Anita Wood beat out Angelo Carvalho in the race for the Ward 3 seat on the North Las Vegas City Council, capturing 57.01 percent of the vote compared to Carvalho’s 42.99 percent.

With all 18 precincts reporting just before 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wood had 1,650 votes and Carvalho 1,244. Council elections are only open to voters who live in the ward, unlike the mayoral election, which is citywide.

Wood, 45, is a familiar fixture in North Las Vegas civic affairs. The stay-at-home mom and former construction manager who ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2001 campaigned largely on her experience on semi-political boards. She was appointed to the city Planning Commission for four years and has served on committees relating to the libraries, utilities, the police academy and affordable housing.

An hour after the votes were tallied, Wood said she was still in shock and thanked the citizens and those who helped her during her campaign.

Her past work resonated with those who voted for her, she said.

“I think the residents really saw how much I care about North Las Vegas and how much I care about Ward 3,” she said.

Wood will fill the seat vacated by Councilwoman Stephanie Smith, who could not run because of term limits, and begin serving a four-year term on July 1.

Ward 3 covers the western edge of the city and includes parts of three ZIP codes — 89031, 89032 and 89084 —with foreclosure rates that rank among the highest in the nation.

It was the first election win for Wood, who said she would turn to Smith, the other council members and city staff for guidance.

She said she had already talked to City Manager Gregory Rose, and he told her they would meet soon so she could hit the ground running when her term begins.

“We can start getting to work tomorrow, but tonight we’re enjoying ourselves,” Wood said.

Carvalho, who owns a car customizing business, also ran on his resume of community involvement. The 41-year-old member of the Army Reserves has been the chair of the city Planning Commission since December 2004. Carvalho, who was the first to declare his candidacy for Ward 3, launched an unsuccessful bid for state Assembly in 2006.

Carvalho could not be immediately reached for comment.

Wood and Carvalho emerged from a crowded field of political newcomers in April’s primary election. In that election, Wood received 589 votes, or 24.19 percent and Carvalho captured 561 votes for 23.04 percent.

Carvalho outspent Wood in the run for office, according to the most recent campaign expense reports. Carvalho raised $72,000 and spent $69,000 through May 21. Wood collected $82,200 and spent $47,500.