Assembly incumbents leading campaign opponents in fundraising race

CARSON CITY — Nine Republican Assembly members who supported a big tax package last session, drawing scorn and opponents from the conservative right, were winners in fundraising heading into Tuesday’s primary election.

Campaign finance reports filed by a Friday midnight deadline show the targeted incumbents outraising their primary election opponents, some by wide margins with support from key Nevada industries such as gaming and mining.

Tuesday, primary election day, will determine if a money advantage for the incumbents will equate to victory in securing their GOP nominations and a spot on the November ballot.

Early voting ended Friday, and statewide totals show only 11 percent of Nevada’s nearly 1.3 million active voters went to the polls or sent in absentee ballots. When only Republican voters are factored, the percent increases to 14.7 percent. Nevada’s primaries are closed, meaning voters must be registered in a particular party to vote in partisan races.

Republicans flipped control of the Assembly following the “red wave” election in 2014 and held a 25-17 majority during last year’s legislative session. Nine of the 13 Republicans who voted for Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval’s $1.5 billion tax package are seeking re-election and are targeted by the right wing of the party.

Assembly Majority Leader Paul Anderson, who can win re-election Tuesday because no Democrats or independent candidates filed for the District 13 seat, outraised his nearest challenger by nearly 7-to-1 since Jan. 1.

Anderson reported $148,125 raised this year, including $36,300 in contributions received between May 21 and June 9. His nearest contender, Steve Sanson, reported $21,346 in total contributions for the year. A third Republican on the ballot, Leonard Foster, listed $1,000 on his first report, and a second report was not listed on the secretary of state’s website.

Speaker John Hambrick has been the target of negative campaign mailers in District 2 from a conservative political action committee tied to Assemblyman Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, and Citizens Outreach run by activist Chuck Muth over his vote for the tax bill.

Campaign reports show Hambrick raised $61,150 this year, compared with $16,205 reported by his primary challenger, Clayton Hurst.

Freshman Assemblyman David Gardner, in a competitive three-way GOP primary in District 9, took in $7,800 during the last three weeks, bringing his yearly total to $54,155. Diana Orrock, Nevada’s Republican national committeewoman, recorded $5,600 in donations during the second reporting period for a yearly total of $29,659. Minddie Lloyd had $11,775 in new contributions, bringing her total to $32,210.

Derek Armstrong, chairman of the Assembly Taxation Committee seeking re-election in District 21, received $19,750 this past reporting period for a total this year of $116,125. His GOP challenger, Blain Jones, had $10,025 this reporting period and $26,995 for 2016.

In District 23, GOP incumbent Melissa Woodbury had $34,950 for the year to date. Her opponent, Swadeep Nigam, reported $21,350.

Stephen Silberkraus outraised his District 29 Republican primary opponent by nearly 4-to-1. Silberkraus raised $18,749 this last period, bringing his 2016 total to $76,349. Amy Groves had $5,500 on her recent report for a total to date of $19,300.

Glenn Trowbridge in District 37 reported a total year-to-date of $75,038, more than twice that of his challenger, James Marchant, who reported $34,463.

Assemblyman James Oscarson, R-Pahrump, reported a whopping $159,484 since Jan 1. Tina Trenner, in comparison, raised $10,650. A third primary candidate, Rusty Stanberry, reported $800 total.

In Carson City’s hotly contested, four-way District 40 GOP race, incumbent Philip “PK” O’Neill brought his total contributions for the year to $95,622. Challengers Al Kramer reported $22,477; Sam England, $20,313; and Chris Forbush, $14,503.

Assemblyman Brent Jones, a tax opponent seeking re-election in District 35 in Southern Nevada, reported $39,133 for the year. Of that, $19,150 is self-funded. Tiffany Jones, who is backed by moderate Republican Assembly leaders, reported $30,034 for the year. Tom Blanchard had $14,616.

Two other District 35 Republican contenders, Benjamin Donlon and Raymond Giordano, listed no contributions on their first 2016 campaign report. No reports were filed on the secretary of state’s website for the second reporting period.

The winner will face Justin Watkins, a Democrat, who reported $98,137 raised this year.

In the Nevada Senate, the District 6 race is eyed as one that could determine whether Republicans retain control or lose their slim majority to the Democrats. The GOP primary also pits two Assembly members — one who voted for taxes and one who did not — against each other.

Erv Nelson, who was endorsed by the governor, reported $114,976 on contributions this year and expenses of $242,000. Victoria Seaman, a tax foe, took in $73,100 total and listed $139,240 in expenses.

The winner of that contest will face a well-financed Democratic opponent in November. Nicole Cannizzaro reported raising $123,558 this year and spending only $6,085.

Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3821. Find her on Twitter: @SandraChereb