McDonald, Bingham show togetherness as filing opens

The contrast in styles between the two most-prominent politicians running for Las Vegas mayor couldn't have been more evident Tuesday as the filing windows opened for this spring's municipal elections.

Former Clark County Commissioner and mayoral candidate Jay Bingham joined Councilman Michael McDonald for a colorful, and at times noisy, rally at City Hall to kick off their respective campaigns.

County Commissioners Dario Herrera, Erin Kenny and Lance Malone pledged their support for both McDonald's council bid and Bingham's attempt to return to public office.

About 30 minutes later, after the signs and T-shirt-wearing supporters of McDonald and Bingham left, Councilman Arnie Adamsen arrived, accompanied only by his wife and a letter of resignation for his council seat, as required of incumbents seeking another elected office.

"This is my press conference," Adamsen said, holding his wife's hand while walking into the city clerk's office to file the necessary papers for candidacy.

McDonald, 34, downplayed his public alignment with Bingham, saying only that Bingham has always helped him when he had questions about public office.

"He's had a taste of both city and county issues," McDonald said of Bingham. "He can cut through a lot of stuff, a lot of red tape and get things done."

Bingham, 45, said he considers himself a consensus builder who will strive to create seamless local government -- hence his public statement pledging to work with the county commissioners and the City Council.

"I want to be the missing piece," Bingham said, of his desire to unite the two governments. "The mayor is the conscience of the city and I want to be that good conscience."

Adamsen said McDonald's support of Bingham didn't faze him.

"That's not the issue that's of importance to the citizens of this community," Adamsen, 49, said. "All of my thoughts and energies are on fulfilling the needs of my constituents."

The hour-long swing in which Adamsen, Bingham and McDonald all filed their paperwork capped a busy morning for City Clerk Barbara Jo "Roni" Ronemus, who arrived for work to find a line of candidates waiting to sign up and fork over the $100 fee.

Former Henderson mayor Cruz Olague, 64, and Anthony Snowden, president of the West Las Vegas Community Development Corp., also filed for the nonpartisan mayoral election.

In Ward 3, incumbent Gary Reese, 57, filed first thing Tuesday morning, vowing to continue targeting neighborhoods for redevelopment.

Longtime boxing trainer Charles "Doc" Broadus, 79, and community activist Lionel Fleming, 42, also filed for the council in Ward 3.

McDonald was the lone candidate to file Tuesday in Ward 1.

Judge Toy Gregory filed for re-election to Municipal Court in Department 1. Municipal Court elections also will be held in Departments 3, 4 and 6.

In Henderson, first-term Councilwoman Amanda Cyphers was the first to file, clocking in at 7:30 a.m. No one else filed Tuesday for her Ward 1 seat.

Longtime Councilman Andy Hafen, who is running for his fourth term, faces competition in Ward 2 from William Brandt.

Steve Kirk was the only one to file for Councilman David Wood's seat in Ward IV.

All council members run at large for the four-year terms, but they must live in the ward in which they run.

Municipal Judge John Provost filed for re-election, while Matthew Dushoff also filed for the Municipal Judge Department 2 post.

In North Las Vegas, Assistant City Clerk Karen Storms said nine candidates filed on opening day, more than in past elections.

"It's a good turnout for the first day," Karen Storms said.

Council members Paula Brown and William Robinson each filed to retain their at-large seats. Brown is running for her second term, while Robinson is running for his fifth.

Former City Manager Linda Hinson, whose contract was not renewed by the council in July, also filed for a City Council seat along with Planning Commissioner Shari Buck.

Others making their bid for the City Council are Stan Vaughan, Laura Perkins, Tony White, Ron Long and Connie Glass.

Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro was the only one to file Tuesday for the mayoral election -- the city's first. In the past, the mayor has been chosen by his fellow council members.

Filing for the council were incumbent Bryan Nix along with Tom Whelan and Ned Morang, according to the Boulder City clerk.

All municipal races are nonpartisan.

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