Nevada Election 2010: Decision-Making Time

This may not be your ordinary election. Because for a change, everyone is saying pretty much the same thing, at the same time, and with the hope of getting to the same place: somewhere we can find solutions.

Veterans of the political process have watched it change from spirited elections to a partisan and uncivil process where it seems the only thing parties can agree on is disagreeing.

In 2010, parties exist, disagreements continue, but the issues on the minds of most candidates are very similar: The economy. Jobs. Education. The budget. Healthcare.

To a lesser extent? Immigration. Gun control. Issues that used to jump out of every election are background in 2010. As the upcoming election approaches, here’s an informational look at the issues considered most important in this election by some of the principals in the Nevada political scene as the recession dies down and recovery struggles to begin.

The Times They Are A Changin’

“It doesn’t seem like some of the issues that are generally issues, like crime and some social issues, are bubbling up to the top three,” said Sam McMullen, partner, Snell & Wilmer, LLP, and political consultant. Voters seem less interested in social issues and more interested in the escalating war, in federal spending and deficits, and even healthcare may not end up the major issue most are anticipating for this election. “People are scared about business and will the business survive, will the job be there, will there be healthcare, all of that they know they’ve got to worry about,” said McMullen, and many of those worries may impact the way people vote.

Some interesting results McMullen expects to see from this election center around races and numbers. In the Senate race, for example, almost two dozen candidates are stacked up against Senator Reid, which rather than increasing the odds of voting the incumbent out of office, may increase the odds of keeping him there as the vote for his opponents could split 23 ways. Or the candidate who wins the primary against Reid may win by only a few votes, making that candidate less powerful. Still, just the idea of moving a long-term senator out of office is exciting to some, dismaying to others and interesting to all.

It seems seniority is no longer a priority for Nevadans. “Seniority used to be incredibly important. Bible, Cannon, Laxalt, we wanted people in office a long time because they had more influence and more power,” said McMullen.

Along with the unknowns on how the votes in such large races will split are the unknowns on how many voters will cast their ballots. “It will be interesting to see exactly how many people will come out to vote,” said McMullen. “And on the republican side, will that make a difference? Will they vote for the local republican or for independent candidates? In the Ross Perot years I remember that the independent got 26 percent of the vote, which had an interesting impact on that race.”

U.S. Senate

A large slate of candidates are competing for U.S. Senate in the 2010 race. Incumbent

Harry Reid (D) was elected to the Senate in 1986. He became senate majority leader in 2007, following two years as minority leader. He’s served as both Minority and Majority Whip. Prior to serving in the Senate, Reid served as representative of Nevada District 1 in Congress. Reid’s platform encompasses the economy, healthcare, energy, taxes, immigration and Second Amendment rights.

Reid led the Senate in passing the controversial healthcare reform and continues to be one of the most powerful liberal Senators in the nation.

Opposing Reid, Danny Tarkanian (R) runs a real estate business and a basketball academy for Clark County youth. He ran for secretary of state in 2006 and for state senator in 2004. Top issues for the Tarkanian campaign include healthcare (a proposal in opposition to the recently passed healthcare bill), the economy and taxes (keeping government involvement in recovery controlled, and creating jobs). He supports Second Amendment rights, improving education, protecting our borders and pursuing clean energy sources.

Sharron Angle, (R) ex-assemblywoman, businesswoman and 2006 U.S. Representative candidate is also running against Reid. Most political pundits agree that Angle is the most conservative of the senatorial candidates. She is against over-taxation and encourages economic development by removing over-regulation and encouraging businesses to create new jobs. On immigration, Angle proposes strengthening our borders and enforcing our laws. She’s opposed to the new healthcare bill and has previously introduced legislation in Nevada for affordable insurance. Angle’s energy policy would include making Nevada the nuclear energy capital of the U.S. for reprocessing spent fuels.

Another candidate of note for the U.S. Senatorial race is Sue Lowden (R). Lowden has been a news reporter, anchorwoman, elementary school teacher and businesswoman. Additionally, she has served as a Nevada State Senator as well as the Chairwoman for the Nevada Republican Party. Lowden is for reduced taxes, control on federal spending, protection of the Second Amendment and the enforcement of current federal laws for immigration and border control.

U.S. Congress

District 1

In District 1, Shelley Berkley (D), the incumbent, has served in the House of Representatives since 1999. She’s also served terms as Nevada State Assemblywoman and as a member of the Nevada University and Community College System Board of Regents. Berkley’s top issues for Nevada are improving public education, improving access to affordable healthcare and safeguarding our homeland security.

David Cunningham (R) is one of ten running against incumbent Berkley. Cunningham has been a small business owner all his adult life. For Cunningham, the most important issue this election is the economy. Feeling that spending at all levels of government is out of control, he’s running for office for the first time with the desire to get the economy fixed.

District 2

In District 2, Dean Heller (R), incumbent, was elected in 2006 and has been appointed Deputy Whip and to the House Ways and Means Committee. Heller’s top issues include developing renewable energy with solar, geothermal and wind energy programs utilizing federal lands and fiscal responsibility in Congress, including voting against tax increases. He’s also committed to growing Nevada’s economy and supporting small business; healthcare reform; and immigration reform, starting with enforcing current laws and fining businesses that knowingly employ illegal immigrants.

One of Heller’s opponents is Ken McKenna (D) who’s a member of the State Board of Education and has been a trial lawyer in Northern Nevada for 30 years. For McKenna, the economy is the most pressing issue. With the new alternative energy program initiatives poised to roll out, McKenna wants to position Nevada to benefit . “I want to drive Nevada to the top of the list for getting the benefits from the new economy that’s going to come from the alternative energy programs.”

District 3

Congresswoman Dina Titus (D) is running for re-election in District 3 because, she said, “When I came to Washington, our country was losing more than 700,000 jobs a month. Last month, we created 290,000 jobs. I know that this is little comfort for Southern Nevadans who are still looking for work, but it is a sign that we are working in the right direction.” Titus feels Nevada’s top issues are the foreclosure crisis, the need to create jobs and the economy.

Joe Heck (R) a former Nevada state senator, physician and an Iraq war veteran is one of eight running against incumbent Titus. He hopes to bring real world experience and common sense to the position. Heck’s top issues are the economy, healthcare, national defense and foreign policy. “The number one issue is jobs. Followed closely by the healthcare debate. The bill that was passed was well intentioned but incredibly flawed,” said Heck.

State Constitutional Offices

Governor

Governor Jim Gibbons (R) served three terms in the Nevada State Assembly, was elected to the U.S. Congress as representative for District 2 in 1996, and was elected governor in 2006. Gibbons wants to develop clean energy in Nevada and position our state as an exporter of clean power. He’s proposed changes to education such as smaller, empowered, local school districts, adopting a statewide school voucher program, and eliminating statutory requirements for both class-size reduction and full-day kindergarten. During his term, Gibbons has stood by his campaign promise of not raising taxes and is dealing with possibly the worst budget crisis Nevada has ever seen. Additionally, Gibbons has set a record for most vetoes of any Nevada governor during a legislative term.

Rory Reid (D) Clark County Commission Chair, former congressional aide and son of U.S. Senator Harry Reid is running for governor. Reid, a lifelong Nevadan, sees the top three issues facing Nevada as the economy/jobs, education and a need to restore trust in Nevada politicians. He’s formed three proposals to focus on each issue. The EDGE plan – economic development through great education – focuses on improving Nevada education to attract businesses. His economic plan outlines solutions to bring jobs to Nevada and his Foundation of Trust calls for stronger ethics rules to restore public trust and attract businesses to Nevada.

Mike Montandon (R), former mayor of North Las Vegas and gubernatorial candidate, believes the economic downturn offers opportunities the top of the economic cycle doesn’t: namely, the chance to make changes in the way government delivers services. Montandon believes attracting new industry to Nevada and creating jobs are the top priorities, and wants to expand the nuclear industry in Nevada. Montandon considers education a major issue and wants to introduce choice and competition at several levels in the system, by creating smaller school districts or having money follow the students in the form of voucher programs. “Until we put real competition in place we’re not going to deliver any better product than any other state and our teachers will never be able to compete for what they deserve.”

Brian Sandoval (R), also running for governor, is a former Nevada attorney general and U.S. District Court Judge. Sandoval doesn’t support raising taxes, opposes amnesty for immigration and supports the death penalty. He also believes the Healthcare Bill violates state’s rights and supports the right to bear arms. Sandoval wants to implement a pay-for-performance scale for teachers and a reform for Nevada’s teacher licensure laws.

Lieutenant Governor

The lieutenant governor race is nearly as large as the race for governor. Incumbent Brian Krolicki (R) served two terms as state treasurer before taking office as lieutenant governor. In his current office he serves as president of the state Senate, chairman of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, chairman of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, and vice-chair of the State Board of Transportation.

Jessica Sferrazza (D) Reno city councilwoman, is also running for lieutenant governor. She sees job creation and shoring up Nevada’s flagging economy as the most important issues facing the state in this election. “I believe those outweigh any other issues at this time. People are really hurting. I hear it every day. We need to get them back to work and on their feet.”

Paul Murad (D) is also running for lieutenant governor. Murad is a real estate developer, philanthropist and a small business owner in Southern Nevada. Murad believes in pursuing development of a green energy industry in Nevada because of the abundant sources of clean energy here, in strengthening tourism and in economic development.

Secretary of State

Ross Miller (D), the youngest secretary of state in Nevada’s history, previously served as deputy district attorney in Clark County and is the son of former Nevada governor, Bob Miller. Miller has made it his goal to increase efficiency in the secretary of state’s office through information technology and customer service.

Rob Lauer (R) is running for secretary of state against incumbent Miller. Lauer is a real estate investor, former congressional intern and army veteran. Lauer wants to make the state more competitive. Self-employed since he was 21, Lauer feels businesses are hurting as state fees for filings keep increasing. “The office [of secretary of state] is selling a product and service and needs to be competitive with other states,” he said.

State Treasurer

Kate Marshall (D), state treasurer, started with the Department of Justice, working in the financial sector analyzing financial markets from an antitrust perspective. Steve Martin (R) is a former state controller, state board of finance member, businessman, CPA and Marine Corps veteran.

State Controller

Kim Wallin, state controller running for re-election, is the first CPA elected to the position in 50 years. Wallin has instituted new technology throughout the office and instituted collections practices allowing state agencies to process debt so the state is now collecting 35 percent of debts, up from 11 percent when she started. Wallin sees top issues as creating jobs, improving education and diversifying the economy to create more jobs. Running against Wallin is Greg Dagani (R), an ex-state board of education member and Barry Herr (R), an accountant.

Attorney General

In the race for attorney general, incumbent Catherine Cortez Masto (D) has been in office since 2007.

She is running against Travis Barrick (R), a Southern Nevada based attorney. Barrick wants to streamline regulatory processes to attract new businesses.

Go Vote

The economy. Jobs. Education. The budget. Healthcare. Taxes. Immigration. Second Amendment issues. They’re all topics on Nevadans’ minds. In November, they’ll likely be topics on the ballots. Nevada’s primary election is on June 8th and the general election will be held on November 2nd.

Editor’s Note: Many of the 2010 candidates were not included due to space restraints and/or their lack of response.