Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Nevada Wonk

Incident with mayoral candidate a coincidence or campaign stunt?

Las Vegas myoral candidate Larry Brown

Las Vegas mayoral candidate and county Commissioner Larry Brown (left) talks with Glen Beckner (right) and Maurice Beckner as he campaigns door to door on Lacy Lane in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011. Launch slideshow »

When County Commissioner Larry Brown showed up at Judy Brailsford's door to campaign for mayor with a Las Vegas Sun reporter in tow, it was clear Brailsford had deep affection for Brown.

Brown helped expedite the city permit process for Brailsford, she explained. Her house couldn't accommodate her son, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Brailsford showered Brown with praise while the reporter observed and told him she passed out campaign signs to her neighbors.

What wasn't said is that Brailsford works for Brown's campaign consultant, Jim Ferrence.

Several people contacted the Sun after Brailsford was mentioned in a profile of Brown, complaining that she was a plant.

"She does some work for me, but she doesn't work for the campaign," Ferrence said. "She walks the line between operative and neighborhood outreach."

Brailsford's relationship with Ferrence was not disclosed to the Sun.

Ferrence said he didn't plan the interaction. Brailsford lives in a neighborhood known for its high voter turnout, which is why Brown targeted the area, he said.

But Ferrence admitted the relationship should have been mentioned.

"I would have certainly acknowledged it," he said.

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