Hammargren says he'll stay in governor's race

Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren said today he plans to stay in the governor's race even though his odds of winning are slim.

"My chances aren't great," Hammargren said, "I'm in the right race at the wrong time for the right reasons."

Hammargren said he may end up being the spoiler between the two front-runners, Kenny Guinn and Aaron Russo, who have been attacking each other over the television airwaves.

But Guinn Campaign Manager Pete Ernaut said he doubted that Hammargren would be a major factor in the two weeks leading up to the Sept. 1 primary.

Ernaut said Hammargren received only 6 percent of the vote in a recent poll taken by the Guinn campaign.

Last week, when speculation mounted that Hammargren might withdraw, the lieutenant governor showered praise on Russo, whom he said had tapped into the "mad as hell" crowd.

Hammargren also accused Guinn of being part of a "corrupt" political establishment controlled by the casino industry.

Government in Nevada, Hammargren charged, is "totally corrupt and in the hands of big money casino people."

Today, Hammargren said he would have no trouble endorsing Russo or Guinn if they became the party's nominee in the general election.

Hammargren, however, said he still believes he can be a viable alternative to both men.

"My hope is that they're both so negative that everybody will be disgusted and turn their votes to me," he said.

Hammargren said a Guinn television ad calling Russo "embarrassing to Nevada" has been effective. The ad shows excerpts from Russo's 1996 video, "Mad as Hell," in which Russo, sporting shoulder-length hair and an earring, comes across as a crazed anti-government radical.

Russo, a Hollywood producer who moved to Nevada two years ago, contends he merely was playing a role for a television pilot. But previously, he has indicated that Nevadans who saw his views in the video encouraged him to run for governor.

In a statement released over the weekend, Hammargren said he had been "deluged" with phone calls asking him to stay in the race.

"This could be a true test of the power of the people versus the power of the press, the power of political pundits and the dollar sign on leadership," Hammargren said.

"Throughout my life, I have always chosen the hardest and most difficult challenges, both in my personal and my professional life. Therefore, I will not shirk from continuing on this path, and I am overjoyed that so many people have chosen to walk this one with me."

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