Q+A: Voters’ guide for Nevada attorney general

By Ana Ley

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014 | 2 a.m.

The campaign for Nevada attorney general is a relatively dynamic race in an otherwise lackluster election season.

Secretary of State Ross Miller and lawyer Adam Laxalt — who both have deep roots in state politics — are vying for the vacancy created by Catherine Cortez Masto, who has reached her limit of two terms in office.

Here’s a voters’ guide to the race on the Nov. 4 ballot.

What does the attorney general do?

Nevada’s attorney general serves as the state’s top legal adviser. The office prosecutes cases that involve the government and represents state agencies when they are sued.

An attorney general can also take on a wide variety of projects. Masto sued Bank of America in 2010 over mortgage modifications, and last year she persuaded lawmakers to pass a new statute that toughens punishment for sex traffickers.

The attorney general's office has four divisions: consumer protection, criminal justice, government affairs and litigation.

The term lasts four years.

Who’s running?

Laxalt, a Republican, is the grandson of former U.S. Sen. and Nevada Gov. Paul Laxalt. He grew up in Washington, D.C. He served as a judge advocate general for the Navy in Iraq and as a law professor at the U.S. Naval Academy before moving to the Las Vegas Valley to work as a private attorney. His campaign has raised about $591,000 through June. Laxalt, 36, and his wife, Jaime, live in Henderson with their daughter.

Miller, a Democrat, is the son of Nevada's longest-serving governor, Bob Miller. He grew up in Carson City and worked as a Clark County prosecutor before he was elected secretary of state in 2006. The Democrat has raised $1.3 million through June, more money than his two opponents. Miller, 38, and his wife, Lesley, have three children. Miller also made headlines with a stint as a mixed-martial arts fighter.

Independent challenger Jonathan Hansen will also appear on November’s ballot, but he lacks political support and funding.

How are the leading candidates selling themselves?

Miller touts his work in campaign finance disclosure as secretary of state. He oversaw the creation of a website that allows online access to information about contributions and expenses. Miller’s campaign website describes him as “a champion for accountability and transparency in government.”

Laxalt says his legal experience in the military makes him the right person for the job. He says he wants to limit the federal government’s influence on Nevadans. Laxalt serves on the board of trustees for Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, one of the state’s biggest nonprofit social service providers.

What’s been the biggest news in the race?

An unflattering performance review leaked by Laxalt’s law firm made headlines this summer.

The two-year-old document from law firm Lewis Roca Rothgerber described the candidate as a “train wreck” of a lawyer whose work was sloppy. Firm officials then condemned the leak and released a statement saying Laxalt had made “excellent contributions” to the firm.

Attack ads, meanwhile, have criticized Miller for accepting trips and gifts he reported on financial disclosure statements. Miller says many of the gifts he accepted were scholarships for educational seminars, noting that he’s disclosed more information than most politicians would because he wants voters to make their own judgments about the gifts.

Who’s backing the candidates?

Notable contributors to Miller’s campaign include the MGM and the Primms, a family of casino developers. Miller’s website says he’s also backed by the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, the Henderson Police Supervisors Association and the Clark County Prosecutors Association.

Laxalt is endorsed by former Vice President Dick Cheney, former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and former Nevada Lieutenant Gov. Lorraine Hunt. He’s also backed by former Clark County District Attorney David Roger.