Two Democrats file to run in 4th Congressional District

Two Democratic candidates on Monday filed to run in the 4th Congressional District race, part of a widening field of Democrats who want to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Cresent Hardy, R-Nev., in the general election.

The most prominent of the two candidates is state Sen. Ruben Kihuen, who is is running for the Democratic nomination with the backing of U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and the endorsement of the influential Culinary Union Local 226, which represents workers in Nevada resorts.

Kihuen was joined at the secretary of state’s office with his family, Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow, and supporters from the Culinary union. Barlow has endorsed Kihuen, along with the union.

Kihuen is one of at least five people expected to seek the Democratic nomination and run against Hardy, who has announced he’s running for re-election to a second two-year term.

Kihuen said he supports raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour and efforts to make college affordable. Kihuen pointed to his record in the Nevada Senate, which includes working to pass legislation that put a need-based grant program in place for college students.

Democrat Mike Schaefer, who said he owns an apartment complex, also filed Monday. Schaefer has a colorful political history in Nevada. In 2014, he was kicked off the ballot while running for Nevada state controller.

A Clark County district judge ruled at the time that Schaefer didn’t meet the two-year residency requirement because he ran for Los Angeles City Council about a year ago. At the time, Schaefer, a disbarred attorney, unsuccessfully argued his primary residence was in Las Vegas and he rents a room in Los Angeles.

In an interview, Schaefer said he viewed the residency laws in Nevada as unconstitutional and unenforceable before losing the case.

Schaefer’s campaign website for his congressional race says he moved to Nevada in the early 1970s and touts his support of storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, calling it the “most studied land in the world.”

Three other Democratic candidates have announced plans to run for the nomination: Lucy Flores, a former state assemblywoman; philanthropist Susie Lee; and John Oceguera, a former Assembly speaker.

The 4th Congressional District encompasses North Las Vegas and six rural counties.

The 1st Congressional District race attracted two candidates on Monday.

Republican Mary Perry filed as a candidate for the GOP nomination. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., also filed.

Perry is an attorney.

Titus is a former professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is running for a third two-year term in the district.

The district goes from McCarran International Airport north to downtown Las Vegas.

In the 3rd Congressional District race, two candidates have filed from both sides.

Republican candidate Kerry Bowers, a retired Air Force officer, jumped into the race.

Democratic candidate Alex Singer also filed. Singer has volunteered on political campaigns in recent years.

That race is wide open because incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., is running for the seat of U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who is retiring.

The district goes south of the Las Vegas metropolitan area, covering Henderson and rural areas, including Searchlight and Laughlin.

The filing period lasts through March 18. The primary election will be June 14, and the general election Nov. 8.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1