Kindgo
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Republicans nearly sweep Nevada; pot loses; anti-gays win; Berkely only Democratic win
By SCOTT SONNER
ASSOCIATED PRESS
RENO, Nev. (AP) - Republicans scored a virtual sweep of Nevada on Tuesday, re-electing Gov. Kenny Guinn in a landslide, claiming a newly created congressional seat and all five other top statewide offices.
"It's been a great day for all our candidates," Guinn told supporters Tuesday night after cruising to victory with 68 percent of the vote.
"I believe it is a mandate for us as Republicans to take this great state from where we are today in a fragile state, primarily because of 9-11, and move it on to an area that we will be tremendously proud to live in," he said.
The conservative trend also showed on two high profile ballot measures as Nevadans voted to amend their state constitution to ban gay marriages and snuffed out a proposal to legalize possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana.
Rep. Shelley Berkley was the only major Democratic candidate to win in Nevada. She had 54 percent of the vote to 42 percent for Republican Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald in the 1st Congressional District with 85 percent of precincts reporting.
Republican Jon Porter, a former state senator, defeated Democrat Dario Herrera in the newly created 3rd District that both national parties targeted as a priority. He was winning by a margin of 56 percent to 37 percent with 73 percent of the vote tabulated.
Republican Rep. Jim Gibbons, a member of the House Intelligence Committee who is the only member of Congress to serve in both the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars, was elected to a fourth term in Nevada's 2nd District. He was leading 74 percent to Democrat Travis Souza's 20 percent with 88 percent of precincts reporting.
Guinn, 66, was declared the winner early over Democrat Joe Neal. By the time four-fifths of the votes was counted, Guinn led with 68 percent to Neal's 22 percent.
Guinn outspent Neal by a 100-to-1 margin during the campaign - $2 million to $20,000. In addition to the backing of the casino industry, he won endorsements from a pair of traditionally Democratic constituencies, the Nevada AFL-CIO and the state teacher's union.
"The reputation in the past has been that only Democrats care about people and that's just not the case," Guinn said Tuesday night.
"I ran last time and ran this time to help people - those who are less fortunate, the aging and disabled. That is part of our responsibility and I think we can do that as Republicans," he told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Las Vegas after he was declared the winner.
"We set forth some pretty aggressive programs in education and for seniors over the last 3 1/2 years. We reduced the size of government even though we are the fastest growing state in the nation. I think people like what we have been able to do."
Neal, a 30-year veteran of the state Legislature who became the first black gubernatorial candidate to win a major party's nomination in Nevada, angered casinos with his call for dramatically higher taxes on the industry and was snubbed by his own party leaders.
Republican Brian Sandoval defeated Democrat John Hunt in a combative race for attorney general, claiming 58 percent of the vote to Hunt's 34 percent with 83 percent of the votes counted.
Secretary of State Dean Heller was part of the Republican sweep, winning re-election with more than 60 percent of the vote.
Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, Treasurer Brian Krolicki and Controller Kathy Augustine were the other Republican state executives who won re-election easily.
Lorraine Hunt turned back a challenge from Democrat Erin Kenny, 52 percent to 42 percent, despite having U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., tape a television ad and campaign for Kenny.
"It was gratifying to win a race where your opponent outspent you 2-to-1 and had a powerful U.S. Sen. working against you," Hunt said.
Reid suffered a setback as well, even though he wasn't up for re-election. With Republicans seizing control of the Senate, his job title changes from majority whip to minority whip.
"I'm particularly saddened by the loss of the Senate because it takes away some of Sen. Reid's tremendous clout," Berkley said. "It's a blow for the state."
Nevada statutes already forbid gay marriages but statewide ballot Question 2 amends the Nevada Constitution to make clear that nontraditional marriages performed in other states wouldn't be recognized in Nevada. It had passed by a margin of 67 percent to 33 percent with four-fifths of the ballots counted.
The highest-profile ballot question in the state, No. 9, would have legalized possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana for personal use. But it lost 61 percent to 39 percent with all but 17 percent of the precincts tabulated.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/s.../110510489.html
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God bless,
Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
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