Scroggins bests nullified Woodbury

In a much-publicized race that made some pundits wonder whether a disqualified but long-serving Republican incumbent could pull off a win, a less popular underdog snatched a victory in Tuesday's primary.

Republican Brian Scroggins rolled into a solid first-place finish in the Clark County Commission's District A primary.

He garnered 55 percent of the vote, surpassing 27-year incumbent Bruce Woodbury, whose name remained on the ballot even though the state Supreme Court ruled him ineligible to run because of 12-year term limits. Although disqualified, Woodbury picked up 33 percent of the vote.

If Woodbury had won, the local Republican central committee would have met tonight to choose a candidate to replace him in the general election. Scroggins' victory eliminated the need for that.

Scroggins, who delayed campaigning until the high court ruled on term limits, said he was pleased to reach so many voters in 21/2 weeks.

"I think we did well with the limited time we had," Scroggins said.

His other Republican rival, Duane Christy, got 13 percent of votes.

In the November general election, Scroggins will square off with Regent Steve Sisolak, a Democrat who easily defeated his opponent.

Sisolak received 66 percent of the vote, compared with Jeffrey White's 34 percent.

"Things are looking good right now," Sisolak said. "If the lead holds up, we look forward to a successful campaign in the general election."

Woodbury said he will back Scroggins.

"I think Brian Scroggins would make a fine commissioner, and he has my total support," Woodbury said.

At a polling site at Sunset Park, some voters chose Woodbury, even though they knew he couldn't serve again.

"I'd rather vote for somebody I know rather than somebody I didn't know a thing about," said Carl Sims, 64.

Mary Krawitt, a 26-year resident, thought it was a nice gesture to vote for a man who served the community so long.

"I probably shouldn't have done that," Krawitt said, referring to the vote. "I just think he's great."

The other commission races had less drama.

In District C, Republican incumbent Chip Maxfield chose not to seek re-election, drawing seven contenders to the partisan primaries.

Two established politicos trounced the rest of the pack. Democrat and Las Vegas City Councilman Larry Brown took 77 percent of the vote, with his opponent Jeff Campbell garnering 23 percent of the vote.

On the Republican side of the District C race, Assemblywoman Valerie Weber drew 64 percent of the vote. Rival Karen Sweeney came in a distant second with 15 percent, followed by Bill Krane with 10 percent, Bobbye Fitzgibbons with 6 percent, and Gary Marinch with 5 percent.

"Tonight is just about celebrating the voters, continuing on and celebrating the hard work of our team," Weber said.

This race differed from Weber's previous contests because the district is bigger and she had to reach out to more people, she said.

In District B, Democratic incumbent Tom Collins earned 77 percent of votes, far surpassing challenger Brent Howard's 23 percent. Howard ran a sniping campaign, filled with personal attacks against Collins.

Collins will face Republican Gary Hosea and Libertarian Debra Payne-Dedmon in the general election.

Incumbent Democrat Lawrence Weekly ran away with the District D primary, drawing 85 percent of the vote, compared to challenger PiAnge Jackson's 15 percent.

In the general election, Weekly will face a challenge from Independent American Party candidate Tom McGowan.

Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.