Guinn camp unleashes controversial TV ad

After almost a month of relatively civil discourse in the Nevada governor's race, the mud has begun to fly.

Republican Kenny Guinn has launched a television attack ad against his opponent, Democrat Jan Laverty Jones, in which he criticizes her for withholding audits critical of city government.

In the ad, an actress depicting Jones scurries about an office shoving audit reports under sofa cushions and potted plants and into a desk drawer.

"It is somewhat tongue in cheek," Pete Ernaut, Guinn's campaign manager, said. "But we think it is quite legitimate to point out the differences between the two candidates' records."

Jones says the ad is not truthful.

"I was disappointed that Kenny went negative," she said. "He said he was committed to an issue campaign. At least if they were going to go negative, it should be accurate. In fact, I've taken the lead in totally reforming the audit system with the city and ensuring nothing can be kept from the public. ... If he was going to go negative, he should have known what he was talking about."

Former City Auditor Susan Toohey has demanded that Guinn pull the ad.

"This isn't political -- I'm a registered Republican. I just think he should tell the truth. Jan and the City Council had nothing to do with withholding those reports -- it was all the city management."

In a prepared statement, Guinn said the advertisement is accurate and he has no intention of discontinuing it. He added that Jones, as head of city government, is ultimately responsible for the actions of city management.

City spokeswoman Cathy Hanson said all of the reports in question were released to the public last spring after the request was made by Jones.

Ernaut said the ads are being broadcast to draw clear distinctions between the candidates' records.

Jones said she has tried to keep the race issue-oriented.

For example, she recently launched an ad encouraging breast and prostate cancer checkups and calling for greater accountability of health maintenance organizations.

But she said she would need to respond to Guinn's ad to set the record straight.

"The only reason candidates do these type of ads is because it works," said Michael Bowers, a political science professor at UNLV. "The public says they don't like these ads, but the ads are very effective."

Bowers said it would be unusual for a governor's race in any state to be free of attack ads.

"I'm not particularly surprised that there are these type of ads in this race. So far, there haven't been huge differences between the candidates on issues. So it really comes down to personalities," Bower said.

"If you had a race between (U.S. Sen.) Jesse Helms and (the Rev.) Jesse Jackson, there would be no need for attack ads because the voters could clearly distinguish between the two based on the issues."

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