Democrats and Republicans target key races to control state Senate

CARSON CITY -- Campaign contribution and expenditure reports show Democrats are spending large amounts of money in key races in an effort to retain a majority in the state Senate, while Republicans are spending almost as much to try to stop them.

In the Senate District 5 race in Henderson, Democratic incumbent Joyce Woodhouse has raised $307,504 and spent $387,660 through Oct. 21, according to reports filed with the Clark County Election Department. Her Republican opponent, Michael Roberson, raised $236,775 and spent $231,021.

In contrast, Gov. Jim Gibbons raised $240,844 and spent $409,538 in an unsuccessful primary election campaign to keep his governor's post.

The amount of money Woodhouse raised also is more than the $301,033 given to Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki and the constitutional officers, except Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto.

Both parties eye Woodhouse's Senate seat. Democrats hold a 12-9 advantage in the Senate and Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, emphasized in a fundraising letter in the summer that they needed to pick up two more seats to secure the 14 votes needed to override any governor veto.

Horsford, who is not up for re-election this year, even offered meetings and dinners with himself and Senate committee chairs for donations of $25,000 to his Victory 2010 political action committee. He later rescinded the offer in the wake of criticism that he was selling access, which is considered unethical. The Victory 2010 fund contribution report had not been filed with the secretary of state Thursday.

All contribution and expenditure reports were due Tuesday with the secretary of state or county election departments. They are not considered late if they were postmarked by Tuesday.

Assembly Majority Leader John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas, reported raising $717,000 and spending $707,000 through Oct. 21.

Oceguera, in line to become Assembly speaker, has been funneling his funds to help Democrats in key legislative races. He even has contributed $4,500 to Woodhouse's Senate campaign.

Besides keeping the Woodhouse seat, Democrats also want to pick up the Senate District 8 seat held by Las Vegas Republican Barbara Cegavske.

Cegavske reported she has raised and spent $302,000 in the campaign. Her Democratic opponent, Tammy Peterson, reported contributions of $68,603 and expenditures of $41,552 in the previous reporting period in late May. His report was not available Thursday.

Another seat both parties want is the Senate District 9, held by Republican Dennis Nolan of Las Vegas. Nolan lost the June primary to Elizabeth Halseth, a political unknown before the election.

But District 9 now has more Democrats than Republicans. The Democratic candidate is Benny Yerusalmi, a longtime Las Vegan who is a jeweler and law school graduate.

Halseth reported no contributions in May, but Yerusalmi said then that he had received $144,240 and spent $44,277.

Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax said late Thursday that the latest contribution and expenditure reports from Halseth and Yerusalmi had not been received by his office. All major constitutional officers and their opponents have filed reports with the secretary of state.

In the lieutenant governor's race, Krolicki reported contributions of $301,033 and expenditures of $257.130. His opponent, Democrat Jessica Sferrazza, said she raised $205, 278 and spent $285,857.

Masto has raised $410,505 and spent $544,000 in the attorney general's race. Her Republican opponent, Travis Barrick, a Las Vegas lawyer, received $14,648 in contributions and spent $19,214, according to his report.

But even Joel Hansen, the Independent American Party candidate for attorney general, raised more money -- $15,435 -- than Barrick.

Incumbents held a fundraising advantage in all constitutional offices. Democratic Secretary of State Ross Miller raised $276,987 and spent $178,940, compared with $114,904 in contributions for his Republican opponent Rob Lauer. Lauer reported $26,175 in expenditures.

In the treasurer's race, incumbent Kate Marshall, a Democrat, received $265,807 in contributions and spent $224,562, compared with $78,303 in contributions for her Republican opponent, Steve Martin. Martin spent $120,997.

In the controller's race, Democratic incumbent Kim Wallin raised $130,212 and spent $88,426. Republican challenger Barry Herr raised $16,451 and spent $14,397.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.