Jones says she won't run for third term

Mayor Jan Laverty Jones' announcement Thursday that she will not seek a third term sent waves of shock and opportunity rippling through city politics and created an immediate new race for Las Vegas leadership.

Former County Commission chairman Jay Bingham went from being Jones' top opponent to clear front-runner within minutes, only to see the competition shift again as City Councilman Arnie Adamsen entered the race.

"Let them have at it," Jones said of the competition, without offering her support to any one candidate.

Adamsen said he was waiting for Jones to make up her mind before he declared his intentions.

"Sometimes you put the interests of the city ahead of your own personal interests," said Adamsen, 49, who is the longest-serving member of the council and a former mayor pro tem.

Adamsen said he plans to run a campaign devoted to his experience and to new goals he'd like to see the council achieve.

Jones, 49, had barely finished her news conference at Lied Boys and Girls Club during halftime of her son Patrick's basketball game before campaign strategists began examining the fallout.

"I'm surprised, but I'm also happy," said Bingham, 45, who announced his candidacy weeks ago. "Jan is a very formidable opponent."

Still, Bingham said Jones' decision to spend more time with her family and to entertain other opportunities will not cause him to alter his campaign.

"It doesn't change our race at all," said Bingham, who has promised a positive campaign.

The mayor's announcement didn't change Michael McDonald's mind either.

McDonald, the city's mayor pro tem, joined Jones at the news briefing for support of a friend, not to enter the race himself.

"I'm committed to Ward 1," said McDonald, who announced in December he would seek re-election to the council. "When I got ready to run, I went back out to the neighbors to let them know I'm committed to issues in their neighborhood.

"I'm not going to play politics now and change my mind," McDonald added.

Adamsen will be forced to submit an official letter of resignation for his Ward 2 council seat when he files his paperwork for mayor with the clerk's office, per city city ordinance requirements. His resignation takes effect only if he wins the election.

Other potential candidates still exploring a run include local developer Mark Fine and Aaron Russo, who last year lost the Republican nomination for governor to eventual winner Kenny Guinn.

Former city councilman Steve Miller, Jones' political nemesis, spent Friday morning lambasting the mayor as he filled in as host for Jim Casey on a morning radio show on KXNT 840-AM.

Miller learned of Jones' announcement on the radio while driving home from Disneyland on Thursday.

"My main concern now is that I'm running against a very qualified gentleman in Jay Bingham," Miller said in an interview. "It changes the logistics really of the race. We're strictly taking a second look at the strategy."

Miller also credited his recent publicity campaign against council decisions regarding the expansion of the Crazy Horse Too strip club and the sale of land to golf course developer Billy Walters as playing a role in Jones's decision.

But Jones said Thursday that neither her political foes nor her health played roles.

"It's been a fabulous almost eight years and I've enjoyed every moment," said Jones, who was first elected in 1991. "But I've decided that I've missed one too many basketball games, one too many cheerleading events and one too many dinners with my family."

Jones, who battled breast cancer last year, said her health "is perfect" and was not a factor in her decision.

She said, however, that Monday's marathon council meeting -- which stretched more than 10 hours -- made her realize the many family commitments she was missing.

"The pivotal point was probably the last City Council meeting, where my daughter was home ill and my son had his semifinals, and I couldn't make either one," said Jones, her glasses removed and her blue eyes glistening with the only evident emotion during her brief statement.

As she finishes the last six months of her term, Jones said she will be considering offers from the private sector and keeping an eye on Washington, D.C., where "there are always opportunities for jobs."

Although Jones said she is keeping her options open, she said she will rule out working as a lobbyist.

Known for her charismatic leadership style and as a top-notch spokeswoman for the city, Jones has reportedly been approached by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for a position.

She did nothing to rule that out Thursday, saying she would "stay involved in the city and stay involved with public affairs."

"I learned long ago never to say never in politics," Jones said.

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