Resort battle leads to spending in NLV mayoral race

The two sides jockeying for position in what could be a contentious battle for additional resort casinos in North Las Vegas have led the spending in the city's mayoral race.

Through May 21, parties connected to Station Casinos have donated $22,600 to mayoral candidate Shari Buck and $22,500 to her opponent, William Robinson. Affiliates of the Greenspun Corp. have donated $10,000 to Buck and $6,000 to Robinson.

Buck has received $15,000 from Boyd Gaming Corp., while Robinson has received $17,500. Affiliates of Olympia Group have given $10,000 to Buck and $20,000 to Robinson.*

Boyd Gaming Corp. and Station Casinos have asked city officials to approve two new gaming zones along the Las Vegas Beltway. Station Casinos, along with an affiliate of the Greenspun Corp., currently have the only hotel-casino in that corridor, Aliante Station.

Boyd and its partner Olympia Group are asking the city to zone a 56.2-acre parcel five miles east of Aliante Station for gaming. Station is seeking a new gaming-use permit for 54 acres across from the Boyd site.

Overall, Robinson has received $405,047 in donations through May 21, while Buck has received $296,770, the reports show. Robinson has spent $374,158 on the campaign while Buck has spent $440,580 this year.

Buck, Robinson and other candidates seeking public office reported their contributions and expense reports through May 21 on Monday.

In a separate filing, Station Casinos' political action committee has given $70,000 to various candidates running for office in North Las Vegas, Henderson and Las Vegas. The committee also gave $10,000 to Reid For Nevada, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's re-election fund.