Porter eyes run against Berkley

WASHINGTON -- Empty nester and state Sen. Jon Porter said he is close to announcing whether he will challenge freshman Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., for her seat in Congress.

Porter, R-Boulder City, late last week was in Reno where his daughter, Nicole, 18, is now a freshman at University of Nevada, Reno. His son, Chris, 21, is a senior there. With both children away at college, Porter said he will now turn his attention to running for Congress.

"I'm giving it serious consideration," Porter said, adding that he will make a final decision "soon." Porter, a district manager at Farmers Insurance Co. and former Boulder City mayor, said he and his family, including wife Laurie, have been talking a lot about the possibility of a campaign during the last six weeks.

"I care a lot about this state, and I take public service very seriously," said Porter, who is midway through his Nevada Senate term. "This is another opportunity to serve my community."

Berkley's chief of staff Richard Urey said Berkley regards any challenger as a worthy opponent. Jim Blockey is the only other Republican to announce he would challenge Berkley.

"The Congresswoman does not have a 'campaign strategy,' " Urey said. "Her strategy is to work hard in the official capacity of this job every day between now and the election."

Berkley has made a number of public appearances in the Las Vegas area during an August break in Congress. On Monday she led a public meeting primarily about health care at Henderson's Galleria at Sunset mall, Urey said.

Berkley raised nearly $500,000 between January and June for her re-election, according to federal election filings. Porter said he has been working the phones in recent weeks to gauge his support. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., is scheduled to be in Las Vegas Wednesday for a Republican fund-raiser and to encourage Porter to run.

State Republican Chairman John Mason said Porter is the party's best candidate, calling him a "thoughtful conservative" who "undoubtedly would beat Shelley Berkley."

"I called him to urge him to run and after he talks to Speaker Hastert, I hope he announces his candidacy," Mason said. "He's a good consensus builder, a great legislator, a leader and a great person."

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