Statewide races draw topless dancer, pianist, other unknowns

Among obscure Nevadans beating last week's filing deadline were two gubernatorial candidates from Las Vegas - topless dancer Barbara Scott and professional pianist Bruce Wescott.

Like other political novices, they insist they're serious about the races.

"I'm not doing this to expose myself," said Ms. Scott, a Democrat who performs at an upscale men's nightclub. "I'm doing this for the plain workers ... I want to give this right-to-work state back to the workers."

Westcott cites the resume of fellow Republican gubernatorial candidate Aaron Russo, a Hollywood producer, when he defends his piano-playing profession.

"I'm sure all of us are confident we can astutely manage government," said Westcott, who performs at the North Beach Cafe in Las Vegas.

Other candidates are taking more direct aim at their opponents.

Caesar D. Adamson, a North Las Vegas truck driver, said he's had it with fellow Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Neal's claim that Nevada casinos aren't paying enough taxes.

"I have some ideas. Casinos are not responsible for all people moving to Nevada," he said. "If everyone paid some sort of privilege tax, we'd have more money."

Reno ophthalmologist Ralph W. Stephens is one of three people seeking a U.S. Senate seat. The others: Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev.

He said he has no illusions about winning the race, but believes health care needs to be discussed.

"The U.S. government has a responsibility to ensure some fairness in providing care first to the public and then to those who provide it," he said.

In all, 15 people are running for governor and 11 for lieutenant governor.

A husband and wife, Michael and Mary Ann Amador of Las Vegas, each filed for the latter. They join fellow Republican Jessi Winchester, a former prostitute, in the race.

There are no professional requirements for governor or lieutenant governor, which is one reason why the races attracted a wide swath of candidates, said Fred Lokken, a professor at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno.

Such obscure candidates thrive in the West, where political systems don't tend to be as entrenched as Eastern states, he said.

"It's pretty normal," he said. "But do these candidates win? They don't."

archive