Democratic leader Waterman dies (UPDATED)

By Mary Manning

Thursday, April 17, 2008 | 11:25 a.m.

The stalwart and colorful leader of the Clark County Democratic party, 79-year-old Charlie Waterman, died today of a heart attack, according to a party official.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said this afternoon, "I was saddened to learn of the passing of Charlie Waterman. In addition to a long, distinguished career as an attorney, Charlie dedicated his life to building the foundation of the Clark County Democratic Party. As a long-time friend, my thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time."

Others also talked about memories of the former county party leader.

"Charlie Waterman was the ultimate Democrat," former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan said today. "His politics were liberal in the 1960s and remained so in the four decades that followed."

Kirsten Searer, deputy executive director of the Nevada State Democratic Party, said Waterman suffered the heart attack this morning.

Long-time friend and fellow Democrat Harriet Trudell remembered Waterman as a fierce fighter for social justice.

"Charlie was not a religious man," Trudell said. "The Democratic Party was his religion. He believed the way to achieve social justice was through the Democratic Party."

In 1972 Waterman left the Mineral County district attorney's office in Hawthorne and ran against Phil Carlino the state Democratic Party chair at the time.

Waterman lost that race, but he then became Clark County chairman.

"I don't know what fun there's going to be left in the whole world," Trudell said after she learned of his death this morning.