Monday, June 13, 2005 | 11:01 a.m.
When Diana Hampton is sworn in June 21 as Henderson's first female judge in the city's history, the political newcomer won't forget that friend and Councilwoman Amanda Cyphers helped her realize a dream.
A three-term councilwoman, Cyphers served as Hampton's volunteer campaign manager, developing a strategy and formulating letters and brochures. She even contributed more than $8,700 of the nearly $32,000 that Hampton raised for the primary and general election campaigns for the Henderson Municipal Court.
"She was a rock and made all the difference in the world," Hampton said of Cyphers. "I would not have done it without her. I would have lost."
Hampton credits Cyphers, who is launching a campaign consultant business, for developing the blueprint for a successful campaign and for giving her much-needed guidance.
In her victory, Hampton, 39, was able to overcome an opponent -- 54-year-old Michael Miller -- who had raised $46,000 more than her. Miller also had 30 years as an attorney compared to her five years. Most importantly, he had the backing of former Police Chief Michael Mayberry and Mayor Jim Gibson, who made recorded phone calls to voters in Miller's behalf.
Hampton also had to address revelations two days before early voting started that she had worked as a topless dancer for one year to put herself through college.
"She helped me plan by using common sense," Hampton said. "The woman is remarkable. She would tell me what she thinks would work, and we talked about it. She was always right."
Cyphers said she appreciates her friend's kind words and is glad she could help. She credits Hampton's hard work in walking to door, making phones calls, stuffing envelopes and copying letters out of her home, and working with her husband, Scott, in maintaining and hanging signs.
Hampton won by 176 votes, capturing 51 percent. Only 8,216 ballots were cast out of 119,739 active registered voters for a turnout of 6.8 percent.
Neither candidate was well known since this was their first race, but Cyphers said Hampton had a built-in advantage by her gender. Women play better as judges in the polling booth because they are viewed as more truthful and compassionate, Cyphers said. She said she even made sure Hampton's brochures were blue because it reflects loyalty and being true.
Cyphers said another key to Hampton's victory was her ability to highlight herself in brochures and letters as the only criminal prosecutor in the race with extensive police support.
She had the backing of the 200-plus member Henderson Police Association, 230-plus member Henderson Fraternal Organization of Police and 450-plus member Las Vegas Metro Police Managers and Supervisors Association.
Her background as a Henderson prosecutor contrasted with Miller's resume of working 25 years as a public defender for Clark County, Cyphers said. Even though Miller had 25 more years of experience as a lawyer, Cyphers said working as prosecutor carries more weight as someone tougher on crime.
"Whether it is only five years or not, it is still experience as a prosecutor," Cyphers said. "When you add in she is a woman in addition to being a prosecutor and her grass-roots campaign, it is where all the moons align. It is not about who has the most money."
Miller campaign consultant, Steve Redlinger, said he doesn't believe his candidate's stint as a public defender had any effect on voters. He said Miller's 30 years of experience was the biggest selling point for him over Hampton and the outcome of the race could have gone either way. Miller also had the endorsement of a handful law enforcement unions and organizations.
"At the end of the day, there was very little turnout and that obviously indicates a lack of interest in the race," Redlinger said. "You had two candidates running for an office that is difficult to raise large amounts of money to get out a meaningful message. With a low turnout, anything goes. She was able to get enough of her supporters out to win. If you run it on any given day, somebody else could come out on top."
As in all campaigns, strategy in targeting voters is vital to winning a race. It's this grass-roots effort that Cyphers ultimately decided the victory, Cyphers said.
"When it comes to campaigning 101, it is grass roots," Cyphers said. "We had worked on a grass-roots strategy the other side never utilized. Because of that, she had a buffer of votes because you just don't know what the other side will do in the last few weeks of a campaign."
Hampton had amassed a lead over Miller of 394 votes based on totals of early and mail-in voting. On ballots cast on election day, Miller received 218 more votes than Hampton.
"One of the strategies we used is we knew it would be a low turnout, and we targeted those habitual voters," Cyphers said. "She was short of funds, and we had to stretch the dollar. "
During the campaign, Hampton said, she visited 1,600 homes and called more than 500 voters. To save time, only precincts where habitual voters were concentrated ended up on her walk list.
"I know that made a difference," Hampton said. "People want to know who is running and look you in the eye and know what you are about. They get feeling of trust, and that makes a huge difference."
Two days before early voting started, the Sun ran an article detailing Hampton's one-year stint as a topless dancer at Cheetahs strip club, starting in 1991. Hampton, who was open about her experience, said she took the job because she came from a poor family and it helped her pursue her education.
Cyphers said she never expected the issue to decide the outcome. It occurred 14 years ago, wasn't illegal, and helped put her through college.
"I think we are more liberal here in Nevada than elsewhere, which is why I viewed it as a non-issue," Cyphers said.
Henderson resident Elizabeth Dees, 70, said how Hampton dealt with the issue of her past appealed to her. She called Hampton forthright and not ashamed because she did nothing wrong.
"It was very courageous what she did, and she made no excuses," Dees said. "She grew up poor and didn't have anybody to send her to school. Now if this was back in Virginia where I am from, she would have some problems."
Gibson said it's obvious Hampton's past had no bearing on the race and that people didn't think it was a big deal. He said Miller isn't the type of person who would have brought up the issue in the race.
Endorsements from someone like a mayor don't always matter because voters are independent, Gibson said. Miller, a former colleague and long-time friend who edged his nephew, David Gibson Jr., in the primary, had to overcome that that he wasn't well known, Gibson said. Hampton was the leader after the primary and anything can happen with a small turnout, he said.
"He (Michael) is one of those salt of the earth people and a good solid citizen who takes care of his family and is active in his church and a good neighbor, but he is a not a get your name out there person," Gibson said."I think for the most part this was one of those typical Southern Nevada elections. It was a pick 'em. No one could count on being accurate except it had to be close."
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