After tense months without a candidate for lieutenant governor, Nevada Democrats now have two, ensuring there will be at least one primary in that race.

Bob Unger, a Henderson developer, confirmed that he will run for the post, as did Robert E. Goodman, who was a member of Gov. Mike O'Callaghan's Cabinet in the 1970s.

Although several other Democrats declined to run for the office, the party wasn't worried, according to Nevada Democratic spokeswoman Kirsten Searer.

"We were confident that we could find a qualified candidate, largely because it's a seat we can win," Searer said.

Unger, 54, practiced law before becoming wealthy in real estate. He developed the Showcase Mall on the Strip and the Tuscany master-planned community near Lake Las Vegas, among others.

Unger said his background may not be in politics, but he is ready to run for statewide office. "The first real estate deal I did was the Showcase," he said. "My parents taught me not to be afraid. I think I'm qualified."

Unger said he was urged to run by friends who heard him complaining about the Bush administration "and said, 'Maybe you should run.'"

He has also served as president of the Las Vegas Jewish Federation, which raises money for Jewish organizations; on the Henderson Planning Commission; and on the fund-raising foundation for St. Rose Dominican Hospital.

"After asking for charity money all these years, asking for political money might be easy," said Unger, who says he's not going to pour his own money into the campaign.

Born in Brooklyn to working-class parents who died in their 50s, Unger said he remembers his humble beginnings and wants to help others.

"I am the American dream realized," he said. "We have to make the American dream happen for everybody else."

Goodman, 72, was director of the Department of Tourism and Economic Development under O'Callaghan, who served as governor from 1971 to 1979. He says he was responsible for creating the state's Motion Picture Commission and its Foreign Trade Zone in Las Vegas.

Since the lieutenant governor now chairs the state's commissions on tourism and economic development -- a change that occurred under O'Callaghan -- Goodman figures he is a perfect fit.

"I've got the experience," said Goodman, who is not related to Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. "I did it before, and I've got 30 years of contacts and connections."

In 1973, when an oil embargo was causing a gasoline shortage, Goodman had members of his staff rent cars and demonstrate that the round trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas could be accomplished on a single tank of gasoline, helping keep tourism afloat during the fuel crisis.

For the past 25 years, Goodman said, he's been working abroad with gaming interests, mostly in China and Japan.

"The international market is so important for Nevada," Goodman said. He also said he would bring creativity to the office of lieutenant governor.

On the Republican side, State Treasurer Brian Krolicki had raised more than $600,000 for his run for lieutenant governor as of January.

Former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Janet Moncrief, who was ousted in a recall, said Tuesday she was still deciding whether to run. She said earlier this month she would probably do so.

Krolicki said he didn't mind the company in a race in which he was previously unopposed.

"We've always presumed we'd have extremely difficult primaries and an extremely difficult general election," he said. "This doesn't change what we're doing."