GOP factions feud after party leaders back Guinn

RENO -- Republican party leaders last week abandoned a long tradition of neutrality to jump on the bandwagon of gubernatorial candidate Kenny Guinn.

The GOP hierarchy in past years declined to take sides in contested primary elections but this time, they feel they have a winner.

State GOP Chairman John Mason of Douglas County, National Committeeman Tom Wiesner of Las Vegas and National Committeewoman Barbara Vucanovich of Reno, lined up with Republican legislators and others to publicly endorse Guinn.

Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren and Aaron Russo, who are challenging Guinn for the nomination, predict the endorsements will backfire.

"It's just another political game of the establishment," Hammargren said. "I think it will work against them because they are going contrary to their own party's principals (against primary election endorsements)."

Russo said that by breaking neutrality, it shows how scared the party leaders are. "They know they don't control me. My backers are the people. The upper crust is supporting Kenny Guinn."

Guinn held press conferences in Las Vegas and Reno where GOP legislative leaders and some of the higher party echelon showed. Guinn called the show of strength a "defining moment" in his campaign. Guinn's campaign manager Peter Ernaut said the only two sitting Republican Assembly members who didn't endorse him were Sandra Tiffany of Henderson and Don Gustavson of Sun Valley.

Mason said it was his personal endorsement and not that of the Republican Party. But it's clear the leaders don't believe Hammargren and Russo have much of a chance of winning, if nominated. "My job as Republican chairman is to have a Republican governor," Mason said.

One reason the party has not elected a governor recently is because the party waits until after the September primary election to unify behind a candidate leaving only two months to the general election, Mason said. Asked what qualities Guinn has that Hammargren and Russo lack, Mason said Guinn has "worked hard" for two years to win the nomination. Interestingly, Hammargren and Russo backed Mason earlier who pushed the failed payroll protection initiative that Guinn was against. Mason added he would back Hammargren or Russo if one was nominated.

Republicans have not had a governor for 16 years, since Robert List who was also present to back Guinn. Former Lt. Gov. Bob Cashell, a Democrat-turned-Republican, was also on hand.

Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Minden, said it would be a "good time" to elect Guinn because the state's economy is flat. He said Guinn is a good financial manager and would bring a "business-oriented" administration to Nevada.

Hammargren said the state Republican Central Committee voted a year ago at a meeting in Mesquite not to endorse in the primary elections. He wondered if Mason would resign for going against the policy. He also said some of the candidates for the Legislature who endorsed Guinn have received money from him for their campaigns.

Russo said the party leaders have abandoned their philosophy, beliefs and principles. "They are breaking ranks because they're scared," he said. "I'm their worse nightmare. They know I'm kicking butt in the polls."

The political machine that has controlled the state under Gov. Bob Miller, Russo said will still control if Guinn wins. "If Guinn wins, Sig Rogich, Billy Vassiliadis and Peter Ernaut will be running things."

Rogich, who formerly owned an advertising firm in Las Vegas, was an early supporter of Guinn. Vassiliadis is owner of R & R, a major advertising company in the state and he's a prominent lobbyist at the Legislature. Ernaut is running the Guinn campaign and is a three-term Assemblyman who declined to run for re-election.

Regan recovering

Sen. Jack Regan, D-Las Vegas, has been released from University Medical Center following lung-cancer surgery.

Regan was discharged from the hospital a week ago today. His surgeon, Dr. Kevin Murray, said the state senator is at home and doing very well. He is planning to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures, which meets today through Thursday in Las Vegas, and will begin campaigning soon for his re-election to the Legislature.

Regent controversy

Running for the non-paying job as regent of the University and Community College System of Nevada has "been an awful experience," for Arnold Stalk of Las Vegas.

A challenge to his candidacy has been filed in an effort to knock him off the ballot and his signs have been vandalized.

Worst of all have been the phone calls. "They have been referring to my religion," says Stalk, a Jew. The derogatory remarks include ones that suggest UNLV will be called "JEWNLV" if he's elected.

Last week, Carol La Costa of Las Vegas, filed a challenge in the secretary of state's office that Stalk was ineligible to run for election because he changed political parties since Sept. 1, 1997.

The secretary of state asked the attorney general's office for advice. The law says a candidate is ineligible to run for any office if he changed political parties since last September. Stalk changed from Democrat to Republican in June, just a month after he filed.

Stalk maintains the regents is a non-partisan office and the law is silent in these cases. "It was a shock to me," he said when he was notified of the complaint. He doesn't know La Costa but says she's probably a supporter of one of his four opponents.

He said the complaint has hurt his campaign fund-raising and he hopes the attorney general's office makes a decision soon. "My changing parties has nothing to do with this race," he said.

Felony question

Meanwhile the attorney general's office filed suit Friday to knock Darryl Carr off the ballot in his bid to be a regent in the same District 2, Subdistrict G that includes part of Clark and Nye counties.

District Judge Mike Fondi has set July 23 for a hearing for Carr to show why his name should not be removed from the ballot. Carr said he's going to fight the suit but added he won't be able to make the court hearing Thursday. He said he will try to get the hearing changed from Carson City to Las Vegas.

A complaint filed by John Snowden of Las Vegas said Carr was a convicted felon who is still on parole. He said the Nevada Constitution prohibits a person convicted of a felony from holding political office unless his civil rights have been restored.

Carr said he spent nine years in prison on a drug charge and his civil rights won't be restored until next year. He said he was set up by FBI agents and his house was used for a drug sale in Las Vegas.

Carr, released from prison three years ago, said there's nothing in law that prohibits an ex-felon from running for non-partisan office.

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