Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., right, seen on Capitol Hill Wednesday with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., left., reportedly angered New York's other senator. The political newspaper Roll Call reported that an aide to Sen. Hillary Clinton could be heard chewing out a Reid spokeswoman after Clinton wasn't asked to lead a news conference related to efforts to raise the federal minimum wage. Photos by The Associated Press David Safavian and his wife, Jennifer, leave the U.S. District Courthouse in Washington on June 20 after he was found guilty of covering up his dealings with Republican influence-peddler Jack Abramoff. Safavian contributed $4,372 to Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., from May 1997 to November 1999, according to the Federal Election Commission. Jennifer Safavian also gave $300 to Ensign in March 1998.

Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt got her start in politics as a small-business advocate. Her experience as a restaurateur and developer is something she frequently refers to. She is a former chairwoman-elect of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

So it must have stung when Hunt, a Republican candidate for governor, was passed over for the chamber's gubernatorial endorsement. Hunt struck back, sending a letter to the chamber's members asking them to support her instead of the candidate they endorsed, Republican Rep. Jim Gibbons.

"As a small business owner and pioneer, leading the early development years of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, I believe that the chamber failed their 7,000 members with this decision," the letter from Hunt stated. "I am not surprised that Jim Gibbons would make a 'back-room deal' with anyone to get elected, because that's what they do in Washington. I don't believe we need Washington-style ethics in Nevada."

The chamber's endorsement cited Gibbons' experience and his belief in fiscal restraint.

ENSIGN GIVES BACK

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., says he made a charitable contribution last year equaling the amount he received from a former Bush administration official recently convicted of lying about his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

David Safavian, who was convicted June 20 on four of five counts of deceiving federal officials and obstructing justice, contributed $4,372 to Ensign from May 1997 to November 1999, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Safavian's wife, Jennifer, also gave $300 to Ensign in March 1998.

Ensign spokesman Jack Finn said the senator made a contribution of $8,648.50 to the Nevada Patriot Fund last Oct. 1.

Ensign's contribution equaled donations he received from the Safavians and some from Abramoff, Finn said.

The Nevada Patriot Fund provides financial assistance to families of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ensign's contribution came less than a month after he said he did not intend to return the Safavian donations because the money already had been spent.

"I never would have taken the money if I had known what I know now," Ensign said. "We take money from a lot of different people, and I don't know the background of all of them. You just try to keep your own integrity intact."

On Feb. 9, Ensign's political action committee, Battle Born, also contributed $6,000 to the Nevada Patriot Fund.

That contribution equaled donations of $1,000 from Abramoff and $5,000 from Indian gambling tribes represented by Abramoff, Finn said.

DODGING CHARGED IN RACE

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, in a tough Democratic primary battle with Clark County Commissioner Myrna Williams for Williams' commission seat, charged Williams with avoiding confrontation last week.

"I urge my opponent to step out of the shadows and explain what her 12 years in office have brought to the citizens of District E," Giunchigliani said in a statement.

Giunchigliani said Williams didn't show up for one scheduled appearance and wouldn't make herself available to two different shows on the cable channel Las Vegas ONE.

"Just how hard is it to schedule around a 9 p.m. live appearance?" Giunchigliani said.

"We are not dodging any debates," Williams campaign manager Jim Ferrence said. He said scheduling problems had prevented the commissioner from agreeing to the dates offered by the shows, but she was planning to appear on "Face to Face With Jon Ralston" later in the month.

REID-CLINTON CONFLICT

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid reportedly angered fellow Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton in Washington last week. The political newspaper Roll Call reported that a Clinton aide thought she hadn't been adequately notified of a news conference organized by Reid.

Clinton staffer Laurie Rubiner reportedly could be heard chewing out Reid spokeswoman Rebecca Kirszner, saying, "You suck" and "How could you do this?"

In the news conference, Senate Democratic leaders said they wouldn't let Congress raise its own pay until it saw fit to raise the federal minimum wage. Clinton thought she should have been a headliner at the event because she has a bill along those lines; she reportedly sulked through the conference and left before it was over.

Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines told Roll Call, "She was just very disappointed, and continues to be, that the federal minimum wage isn't higher."

BEERS CAMPAIGN 'PUSH POLL'

The Bob Beers campaign conducted a "push poll" last week, a usually disdained campaign tactic in which respondents think they're getting a survey when they're really getting a point of view.

"TASC, the Tax and Spend Control initiative, would amend the constitution to slow and control the growth rate for Nevada's state and local governments," the automated message stated. "Bob Beers, a Republican candidate for governor, introduced this measure and supports it. Jim Gibbons, another Republican candidate for governor, opposes TASC."

The calls went to the households of 3,927 Republican primary voters. Asked who they would vote for, 33.5 percent chose Beers, 23.9 percent chose Gibbons and just 6 percent chose Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt.

"We realize it's a push poll, but it shows what we've been talking about: that when people know the difference between the candidates, they respond to Bob," Beers campaign manager Andy Matthews said.

Stephens Washington bureau writer Tony Batt contributed to this report. Contact political reporter Molly Ball at 387-2919 or MBall@reviewjournal.com.