Editorial: Assessing results of the mayor's race

It is Goodman's bid that has captured the public's attention. His previous legal defense of mobsters has attracted considerable scrutiny, including from the national media. But Goodman's positive campaign and call for impact fees on developers certainly resonated with voters more than his unsavory client list. It remains to be seen, though, whether Goodman's momentum can be sustained through the runoff when he faces City Councilman Arnie Adamsen.

Adamsen invokes images of a crossing guard who has steadily made his mark in public service, while Goodman is a flamboyant lawyer who is making his first run for elective office. Imagine a hypothetical contest between Jesse Ventura, the maverick governor of Minnesota, and California's staid governor, Gray Davis. That's essentially what we have here. Las Vegas residents couldn't ask for a starker difference in style or substance between two mayoral candidates, which should produce an exciting and memorable contest.

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