Heston backing Ensign over Reid

Women in office

If you are one of those voters who casts your ballot strictly along party lines, and you are a Democrat, you'll be voting in November to put a lot of women in key offices, including governor and lieutenant governor. Of the eleven women seeking major state or congressional offices, eight are Democrats: Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones (governor), Rose McKinney-James (lieutenant governor), incumbent Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, Mary Sanada (controller), Shelley Berkley (first congressional district), incumbent Assemblywoman Genie Ohrenschall, Kathy McClain (Assembly) and Maggie Carlton (state Senate).

Two of the Republican women are going head-to-head with female opposition: Lorraine Hunt (lieutenant governor) and Kathy Augustine (controller). The other Republican woman seeking a key office is incumbent Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany.

Romer's forecast

Colorado Gov. Roy Romer, also chairman of the Democratic National Committee, predicts that fellow Reid will retain his Senate seat, Berkley will be Las Vegas' next congresswoman and Jones will soon be moving to Carson City.

"I think Sen. Reid is going to win the race," Romer said. "I have watched him (while I've been) governor of Colorado. He understands the West."

Romer said Reid will keep his slim lead over Ensign and capture a third term. Ensign is leaving the safety of his House seat to challenge the Nevada Democrat.

Romer describes Berkley as a "Westerner and a leader who won't be a person who will just vote yea or ney." Romer said he thinks she will have no problem beating former District Court Judge Don Chairez.

He also said Mayor Jones is "well positioned" to defeat retired Republican businessman Kenny Guinn in November.

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