War chests buoy Henderson City Council incumbents

If money is any guide — and in politics, it usually is — the race for a west-side City Council seat has turned into Henderson’s most competitive campaign this year.

But the city’s two other incumbent council members also face challengers as early voting is set to start Saturday. Eight candidates are running for three seats, with the winners serving a four-year term at an annual salary of about $45,000.

Councilman Sam Bateman, running for a second term in western Ward 4, faces two political newcomers. One, financial adviser Derek Uehara, won the endorsement of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce this week.

“I’d like to think that people are beginning to recognize that we can make a difference here,” Uehara said.

Tim Brooks, an owner of the Emerald Island Casino, chairs the chamber’s political action committee. He said members think Bateman has done a good job but believe Uehara better understands the challenges small businesses face because he runs one himself.

Bateman, who noted he has the support of the larger Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, said he doubts the Henderson chamber endorsement will make much difference.

“I think that Henderson voters are smart enough to know who’s been working hard for them for a long period of time,” Bateman said.

Bateman, 37, who is a Clark County prosecutor in his day job, said he has nearly a decade of civic involvement in Henderson. He has lived there for 15 years and started volunteering on city committees in 2005, then was appointed to the Planning Commission in 2007 and elected to the council in 2011.

Bateman said he has helped lead the city out of the recession and encouraged growth in his ward, including development around Green Valley Parkway and Interstate 215.

Bateman opposes a property tax increase, which some city leaders have proposed as a way to keep providing good services. Uehara also is against an increase and said he wants to focus on increasing the tax base by bringing in more businesses.

Uehara, a 48-year-old Hawaii native, said he moved to Nevada in 2000 and Henderson in 2008. He said he wants to hire an independent consultant to analyze city employee salaries.

Uehara has raised far more than any other challenger: about $28,000, plus a $13,000 loan to fund his campaign, according to reports submitted to the state this week. Bateman has not only raised more this year — about $82,000 — but had a huge head start, having raised $262,000 last year.

Bateman’s contributors include large casino companies and developers, while Uehara raised money from businesses and his family. Uehara did not appear to get money from any casinos.

The other challenger is Tristan Galicia, a 44-year-old political novice who said he is running in part because politicians don’t listen to their constituents and “special interests” have more influence than regular people.

Galicia, a real estate agent who moved from Michigan to Nevada nine years ago, said he has turned down friends’ offers to donate to the campaign. He showed a photo of a $500 check one man tried to give him. He said he does not want to be influenced by anything but his principles.

He and his wife, who have two sons, decided to live in Henderson for its good schools. And now, Galicia said, he sees an opportunity to help make sure it remains the great city they chose. He offered few campaign promises beyond listening to his constituents.

WARD 1

In this eastern ward, Councilwoman Gerri Schroder, who is running for a third term, is challenged by Eddie Hamilton and Edward O’Neil.

Schroder, 50, launched her campaign saying she is proud of progress the city has made to revitalize Lake Las Vegas and break ground on the Union Village health care campus, which will be home to an acute-care hospital.

Schroder said she has helped lead improvements in her ward, including repaving, road repairs and new sidewalks and landscaping. And she is a constant presence at meetings of homeowners’ associations and other groups, which she said helps her keep apprised of what residents are thinking.

Like other incumbents, Schroder said the city has weathered the recession well and kept a high quality of life, while the City Council has cut spending and balanced the budget.

Hamilton, who has run for several offices before, is against a tax hike, which he believes other council members would push through after the election. And he wants to cut the city’s “bloated bureaucracy.” Hamilton is hoping to increase turnout, which is sometimes less than 10 percent in city primaries.

O’Neil is also against a tax increase, while Schroder has said she wants to see the budget and hear from residents before deciding.

Hamilton, who is in his early 70s but declined to give his age, is a colorful presence who likes to wear a cowboy hat. He said he runs a financial services business and is a “full-time conservative blogger.”

O’Neil, 57, said he is running a “grassroots” campaign aimed at listening to voters. His slogan: “Let’s make Henderson better together.”

O’Neil, who ran a storm water compliance business and now has a transport and storage company, said he wants to encourage more small businesses in Henderson and hopes to reform water billing that has led to some seniors being overcharged.

Schroder has raised $124,000 this year, including donations from many casino companies. O’Neil’s report said he raised no money.

Hamilton’s campaign finance report shows he has raised and spent $370 this year, all through “in-kind” contributions from himself for costs such as gas and websites. But he estimated the value of his own and others’ work on “digital campaigning” (Facebook and Twitter) at $110,000 between Jan. 1 and March 13.

WARD 2

In a district that stretches from downtown to the rugged mountains on the southwestern edge of Henderson, Crystal Hendrickson is challenging Councilwoman Debra March.

March, who has been on the City Council since 2009, pointed to the city’s repeated ranking in national surveys as one of the best places to “live, work and play.”

A recent independent survey commissioned by the city found 99 percent of residents were satisfied with living in Henderson and 97 percent would recommend it.

Hendrickson, a 30-year-old land surveyor intern and mother of three, said Henderson is a great place to live — but that politicians take too much credit for that. Hendrickson said she is a conservative who supports limited government, and she said residents she has talked to are “ready for a change.”

“I’ve gotten so much more support than I ever even dreamed,” she said.

Hendrickson said she wants to lessen city involvement in redevelopment land deals. Both she and March are against a tax increase.

March, 61, touts her success helping move the Inspirada development forward, pushing for single-stream recycling and cutting the city’s budget. She also has served on regional transportation and economic development boards, including the long-term planning effort Southern Nevada Strong.

March has outraised her opponent 100 to 1, with her $154,000 in donations including large contributions from casino companies.