Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 | 11:02 a.m.
Although midterm elections are usually marked by low voter turnout and less attention, Clark County voters will take part in some historic events during the Sept. 3 primary.
A record 359 candidates filed for offices ranging from Congress to justices of the peace -- the biggest candidate pool ever in the county. Voters will also be able to cast ballots in Spanish for the first time.
Despite the participation from candidates and attempts to get more people to vote, Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax thinks he'll be lucky to get 25 percent turnout.
"I hope I'm wrong," he said.
So do the candidates.
With three congressional seats, the state's six executive offices, the entire Assembly, county races and 29 judge positions hanging in the balance, voters who show up will have plenty of work.
Congress
Nevada's 3rd Congressional District -- a seat created because of the state's population growth -- has both Republican and Democratic primaries Sept. 3.
Leading Republican Jon Porter, a former state senator, faces challenges from Barry Bilbray, Bob Daily and Susan Kiger. Leading Democrat Dario Herrera, Clark County Commission chairman, faces a challenge from Mark J. Budetich Jr.
In the 1st Congressional District, GOP voters will decide whether Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald should run against Democratic incumbent Shelley Berkley in November. Boggs McDonald faces Alfred "Bus Driver" Ordunez.
There are no primaries in the 2nd Congressional District, although Republican Rep. Jim Gibbons faces challenges from a Democrat and three minor party candidates in November.
State offices
Gov. Kenny Guinn faces six Republican opponents in his re-election bid. Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, leads a field of three Democrats vying to challenge Guinn in November.
Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt also faces a primary challenger in Reno Republican Gerry Larrivee. The winner will face three opponents in November -- County Commissioner Erin Kenny, a Democrat; small-business owner William Billy Oswald, a Libertarian; and retired businessman Merrit Ike Yochum of the Independent American Party.
There are no primaries for attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer or controller.
Former congressional candidate Don Chairez is challenging Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Maupin for Seat B. District Judge Mark Gibbons is running unopposed for the Nevada Supreme Court Seat D.
Legislature
The balance of power in Nevada's Senate could change after this fall's elections if Democrats can pick up three seats.
Clark County voters have primaries in three seats. In Senate District 5, Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany faces Bob Wong in the Republican primary.
Assemblywoman Barbara Cegavske faces attorney Tom Christensen in the GOP primary and pool contractor Ed Portello faces businesswoman Kristen Hansen in the Democratic primary for Senate 8.
In Senate 9, Assemblyman Dennis Nolan faces gaming lobbyist Richard Bunker in the GOP primary. Democrat Terry Lamuraglia and Independent American candidate John Lush await the winner.
Control of the Assembly should remain with the Democrats, who currently hold a 27-15 edge. But Republicans could pick up seats, or Democrats could become veto proof with one more seat.
Democrats have primaries for Assembly Districts 1, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 28, 29, 37 and 42. In Assembly 17, incumbent Bob Price faces a tough challenge from Kelvin Atkinson and Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning has a formidable primary opponent in Moises Denis.
The District 10 race will be decided in the Democratic primary between Assemblyman David Goldwater and Daniel Cook.
Republicans have primaries in Assembly Districts 1, 2, 5, 7, 13, 14, 15, 18, 21, 22, 29, 37 and 41.
Districts 29 and 37 are new seats. Districts 3, 5 and 13 are open seats.
County offices
County Commissioner Myrna Williams faces two challengers in the Democratic primary for District E, Nevada Stupak and Tony Badillo. The District F seat being vacated by Commissioner Erin Kenny has drawn interest from three Republicans, former Sen. Mark James, Tim Cory and Devin Smith.
Voters on both sides of the aisle have a say in the primary about who should replace Stewart Bell as Clark County district attorney.
Deputy Chief District Attorneys David Roger and Abbi Silver are vying for the Republican nomination. Assistant District Attorney Mike Davidson faces attorney Dawn Allysa Hooker for the Democratic nod.
County Clerk Shirley Parraguirre faces two Democratic challengers in the primary. Both Republicans and Democrats will have primaries in the race to replace County Recorder Judith Vandever, who is not seeking re-election.
With Clark County Public Administrator Jared Shafer not running for re-election, 12 candidates are seeking the seat, including six Republicans and four Democrats.
County courts
All 21 departments in Clark County District Court are up for election, including the new ones, 20 and 21.
Incumbents face challenges in Departments 1, 4, 5, 14. Departments 7 and 10 are open seats. Family Court Judge Bill Voy and Las Vegas Municipal Judge Jessie Walsh are two of the four running for the Department 10 seat. District Attorney Stewart Bell is running for the District 7 seat.
Six attorneys are vying for the Department 20 seat and five are running for the Department 21 seat.
Family Court Judge Art Ritchie is running unopposed. Voters will get a choice in Family Court Departments G, I, J, K and the new L seat, which has drawn nine candidates.
Law enforcement
Ten people are vying to replace Sheriff Jerry Keller, who is not seeking re-election. The top two vote getters in the primary will face each other Nov. 5.
Metro Deputy Chief Bill Young, Capt. Randy Oaks and Lt. Steve Franks have the most visible campaigns.
Two Democrats are challenging each other to face Henderson Constable Earl Mitchell in November. Democrat Pat Little is challenging North Las Vegas Constable Herb Brown in the primary.
Three Republicans are vying for the nomination to face Las Vegas Constable Bobby Gronauer in November.
Education, special districts
Three seats on the State Board of Education are up for election. Challengers have filed against Board member Gary Waters in District 2 and Priscilla Rocha in District 5. Three people are vying for the District 6 seat.
Four University Regent seats, including two new districts, are up for election. Incumbent Thalia Dondero faces two challengers for the District 3 seat. Robert Forbuss and Bret Whipple are vying for the District 2 seat. Three people are running for the new District 5 seat. Three are running for the new District 12 seat.
Three Clark County School District trustees face election challenges. Larry Mason faces one challenger; Susan Brager faces two challengers; and Sheila Moulton faces three opponents.
Voters will have choices in several of the special districts up for election.
Moapa Valley Water District Logandale area representative Glen Hardy faces a challenge from Matthew Waite.
Two are competing for a two-year term on the Virgin Valley Water District in Mesquite. Representative Kathryn Leavitt faces a challenge in her re-election bid for the Bunkerville seat on the Virgin Valley Water District.
Cal Payne faces two challengers for the Overton Power District seat. William Bunker faces one challenge for the district's Logansale seat and Gary Leavitt faces a challenge from Don Grady for the district's Moapa seat.
Voter turnout
Continued efforts to boost turnout will show up in new voting machines for early voting that work like an ATM.
In 2000 44 percent of voters cast ballots during early voting and an additional 13 percent voted early by mail, leaving just 43 percent to vote on Election Day.
When early voting starts Saturday, each computer will employ touch-screen technology allowing voters to select English or Spanish ballots.
On Sept. 3, 50 computers with bilingual capabilities will be set up at the precincts with the highest Hispanic populations.
Fernando Romero, vice president of Hispanics in Politics, said he thinks the Spanish ballots and voting machines will boost voter turnout, especially for the Nov. 5 general election.
"People who are English-speaking find it hard enough to understand the ballot propositions," Romero said. "Now we're going to have a whole new crop of informed voters, and they'll be well-informed voters."
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