Friday, May 31, 2002 | 9:17 a.m.
District Judge Nancy Saitta joined 14 of her counterparts Thursday in winning election by default.
Saitta's only opponent in the Department 18 race, Tony Liker, withdrew.
Thursday's deadline to withdraw also left a few other minor candidates out of consideration. Anyone who withdraws between now and the primary election will still have their name on the ballot.
Democrat Robert Forbuss now has an easier walk to a University Regent seat after Democrat Lois Tarkanian unexpectedly dropped out. Forbuss is backed by powerful political consultant Sig Rogich and is considered by many a lock to win the District B seat formerly held by Tom Wiesner.
William H. Montgomery withdrew from the lieutenant governor's race, leaving Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny without a Democrat opponent for the primary. Montgomery withdrew, citing Kenny's likely ability to raise $1 million, and his need to commit to his mining interests here and in Canada.
The Assembly District 5 race lost two of the four Republicans vying to replace Barbara Cegavsky, R-Las Vegas, who is running for state Senate. Charley R. Johnson and Jim Blockey, a former congressional candidate, both withdrew.
Now David Griego and Valerie Weber will shoot it out for the Republican nomination to face Dr. John Ellerton, a Democrat, in the general election
Tim C. Ayala withdrew from consideration for County Commission G, and David L. Harrison dropped his bid for sheriff. Steve Allen withdrew from the Assembly District 3 race.
As expected, local sign business owner Brian Scroggins stepped out of the way for fellow Republican Richard Bunker in the race for Senate District 9. Democrat Terry Lamuraglia is expected to mount a strong campaign for the seat being vacated by Republican Bill O'Donnell.
And Democrat Dario Herrera lost a primary opponent in his bid for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District when David S. Kahn, an attorney from Henderson, withdrew.
Foreign aid
Who said the race for state controller was going to be a snooze?
An official of the Taiwan government has stepped into the Nevada political picture, defending the trip by state Controller Kathy Augustine to that country.
Charles K.Y. Liu, assistant in the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, sent an e-mail to Augustine Wednesday, saying her opponent, Assemblyman John Lee, D-Las Vegas, does not understand the close relationship between Nevada and Taiwan.
Liu said, "I strongly believe that your trip is worthy to benefit the trade and touring industries of Nevada since more than 100,000 Taiwanese visit Nevada -- every year."
Lee criticized the Republican incumbent for her travel, including her recent trip to Taiwan. He said she runs a travel agency out of her office and is more interested in taking trips than in doing her job.
Augustine was criticized by top legislators last year for the frequent trips she made to Las Vegas for civic and political functions. Augustine said they were needed because she did not have an office in Southern Nevada, where she maintains her home.
Meanwhile Lee has received the endorsement of the 1,500-member Las Vegas Police Protective Association.
Association Executive Director David Kallas said the organization is "especially encouraged by (Lee's) desire to provide new leadership to the office of state controller."
Lee pledged to serve as Nevada's fiscal watchdog, adding, "Just as the police and correction officers take control over crime and criminals, I'll take control of the controller's office."
Another endorsement
Not that it matters anymore, but Gov. Kenny Guinn sewed up another endorsement this week.
The Nevada Faculty Alliance, which represents professors and other teachers on the campuses of the university and community colleges, praised the Republican for his support of higher education.
So where's the news in a one-time interim president of University of Nevada, Las Vegas getting support from a group that backed him for his first run? It's just another piece of this year's "How to run for governor" primer others will learn from in the future.
For the record
Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins will highlight the issues in this year's Assembly races during a speech to the Women's Democratic Club of Clark County June 13 at 11:30 a.m. at Lawry's The Prime Rib, Howard Hughes Parkway and Flamingo Road. Democratic Assembly candidates will also be introduced. The price is $20 with reservations, $23 without. For information: Call 615-4522.
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