1998 proved a very good year for GOP, Democratic coffers

The huge success was credited by state GOP executive director Dan Burdish to contributions from national Republican organizations because of high-profile races for governor and the U.S. Senate.

"They like to get behind a winner," Burdish said, referring to Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn's successful campaign and Rep. John Ensign's narrow loss to incumbent Democratic Sen. Harry Reid.

In the final report, the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee gave $519,746 to the Nevada party.

Other big contributors included Harrah's Operating Co. of Memphis and MicroFlex Medical Corp., a Reno-based phone banking company, at $30,000 apiece.

Donors aren't limited to $10,000 caps when they give to the parties, as they are when the give directly to candidates.

Nevada Republicans spent $2.9 million on television ads - their biggest expense.

It wasn't a bad year for Nevada Democrats, either. The state party raised an unprecedented $4.8 million and spent $2.4 million on television.

State Democratic chairman Paul Henry said the national committees, particularly the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, also poured money into Nevada on Reid's behalf.

Secretary of State Dean Heller doesn't plan to offer any more changes to state campaign finance disclosure laws this year, hoping to see the impact of the 1997 changes.

The 1997 Legislature lowered the reporting requirements from $500 and above to $100 and above.Sums less than that don't have to be identified by name.

archive