Giunchigliani backers critical of Oscar’s call urging residents to vote

By Delen Goldberg

Published Tuesday, June 7, 2011 | 2:40 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, June 7, 2011 | 6:33 p.m.

Las Vegas voters received an automated phone call Monday evening from Mayor Oscar Goodman urging them to vote in today's municipal elections.

Goodman introduced himself as mayor, then asked residents to cast votes in the mayoral race to continue the momentum of the past 12 years.

He didn't say Carolyn Goodman's name or mention that his wife is a candidate.

Supporters of opponent Chris Giunchigliani immediately suspected funny business and accused Goodman of using city resources to sway the election. A city spokesman said the call was not generated by the city.

Turns out, he was wrong and Giunchigliani's supporters were right.

Oscar Goodman said today that he made the call as the mayor, not as Carolyn's husband. The call was not a campaign call, he said.

If it were, Goodman said, "I would have said, 'Vote for Carolyn.'"

"I've been very careful about that," he added.

Goodman said he reminds city residents to vote in every election.

But the phone call didn't make clear whether Goodman was calling voters as a city official or as a campaign worker.

The Giunchigliani campaign saw it as another attempt to capitalize on his name and position.

Oscar Goodman previously came under fire for appearing on a mailer the city sent to residents touting his achievements as mayor. While the piece was paid for by taxpayers, it was widely seen as a political mailer aimed to benefit Carolyn Goodman's campaign.

Update, 6 p.m.: Mayor Oscar Goodman now says the call he made Monday urging people to vote in the mayoral election was paid for by his wife Carolyn Goodman’s campaign, not the city of Las Vegas.

Goodman said Tuesday morning that his wife’s campaign did not pay for the call and that he regularly reminds city residents to vote.

Goodman did not say Carolyn Goodman’s name in the call or mention that his wife is running.