AG rules against Harney literature

The attorney general's office has sided with Nevada Highway Patrol Chief Mike Hood in his dispute with former trooper Steve Harney over Harney's campaign material for the District F County Commission race.

Hood got an opinion from the attorney general affirming his belief the literature violated state law prohibiting the use of badge or uniform to promote a political campaign.

Mark Fierro, Harney's campaign manager, said he would like to study that opinion because the campaign team was under the impression Harney could mention that he was a trooper.

"He felt he got the go-ahead, but the AG's ruling is chear there's a problem," Fierro said. "We need to sit with them and hear what their concerns are because this opinion is not in writing."

Fierro also said Harney is "always willing to work with the institution he helped make better for almost 30 years."

Harney, who is running as a Republican for the District F County Commission seat against incumbent Erin Kenny, a Democrat, believed he could use the references in campaign material but couldn't actually go door to door wearing his uniform.

But when Hood saw Harney's campaign fliers last week, he ordered Harney to pull all references to the NHP from them, including any depictions of his badge, insignia and uniform. The flyer has a color photo of Harney in uniform.

"It falsely represents that the Highway Patrol endorses him," Hood said. "The Highway Patrol does not support or endorse any political candidate."

Harney then accused Hood of forcing him to step down from the Highway Patrol over the campaign issue. Hood denied the accusation.

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