Goodman easily wins re-election; all other valley incumbents win, too
April 7, 2015 - 10:27 pm

Mayor Carolyn Goodman makes a speech at her re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Glen Dunning, third from left, and Don Bechard, fifth from left, check in to vote for the municipal election at the Las Vegas Senior Center at 451 E. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A sign directing people to the municipal election polling place inside the Las Vegas Senior Center is seen at 451 E. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Glen Dunning glances up after casting his vote in the municipal election at the Las Vegas Senior Center at 451 E. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Don Bechard votes in the municipal election at the Las Vegas Senior Center at 451 E. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

B. Oliver votes in the municipal election at the Las Vegas Senior Center at 451 E. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

B. Oliver, right, checks in to vote in the municipal election at the Las Vegas Senior Center at 451 E. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Glen Dunning, center, briefly chats with election workers Karina Mota, left, and team leader Steven Moran at a polling place for the municipal election at the Las Vegas Senior Center at 451 E. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Glen Dunning votes in the municipal election at the Las Vegas Senior Center at 451 E. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Don Bechard, fourth from left, checks in to vote in the municipal election at the Las Vegas Senior Center at 451 E. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Volunteer organizers Dallamy Santos, left, with Glenna Bolster, make last minute phone calls to voters for the re-election of Mayor Carolyn Goodman at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas during election night Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

A chair reserved for Mayor Carolyn Goodman is seen at her re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Volunteer coordinator Anna Veverka, left, with Tom Letizia, campaign manager for Mayor Carolyn Goodman, look for election poll numbers during Goodman's re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Mayor Carolyn Goodman, right, with her husband Oscar, speaks to supporters at her re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Ross Goodman, from left, with friend Tommy White, and mother and Mayor Carolyn Goodman, speaks to each other at her re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, left, with Tom Letizia, campaign manager for Mayor Carolyn Goodman, share a moment at Carolyn Goodman's re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Mayor Carolyn Goodman, left, with Loretta St. John, share a moment at Goodman's re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Mayor Carolyn Goodman's campaign headquarters is seen during her re-election night party in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Richard Cherchio wipes his eyes as supporters congratulate him during his election night party at his North Las Vegas campaign headquarters on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Cherchio, who lost his last election by one vote, ran again for a North Las Vegas seat on the city council. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Richard Cherchio, right, and his wife, Gloria, listen to election results on their mobile phone during his election night party at his North Las Vegas campaign headquarters on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Cherchio, who lost his last election by one vote, ran again for a North Las Vegas seat on the city council. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Richard Cherchio, right, holds a basket as a supporter unloads food during his election night party at his North Las Vegas campaign headquarters on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Cherchio, who lost his last election by one vote, ran again for a North Las Vegas seat on the city council. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Richard Cherchio, left, and his wife, Gloria, embrace with a kiss during his election night party at his North Las Vegas campaign headquarters on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Cherchio, who lost his last election by one vote, ran again for a North Las Vegas seat on the city council. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Richard Cherchio takes a call during his election night party at his North Las Vegas campaign headquarters on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Cherchio, who lost his last election by one vote, ran again for a North Las Vegas seat on the city council. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Richard Cherchio, and his wife, Gloria, surrounded by supporters, embrace with a kiss during his election night party at his North Las Vegas campaign headquarters on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Cherchio, who lost his last election by one vote, ran again for a North Las Vegas seat on the city council. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Richard Cherchio, and his wife, Gloria, surrounded by supporters, embrace during his election night party at his North Las Vegas campaign headquarters on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Cherchio, who lost his last election by one vote, ran again for a North Las Vegas seat on the city council. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Richard Cherchio, center, receives a hug from a supporter as his wife, Gloria, looks on during his election night party at his North Las Vegas campaign headquarters on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Cherchio, who lost his last election by one vote, ran again for a North Las Vegas seat on the city council. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Tom Letizia, center, makes an early announcement of the election poll numbers during Mayor Carolyn Goodman's re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Mayor Carolyn Goodman was re-elected with 54 percent of the vote. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Mayor Carolyn Goodman, left, with her campaign manager Tom Letizia listen to a call with the final election poll results during Goodman's re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Mayor Carolyn Goodman was re-elected with 54 percent of the vote. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Mayor Carolyn Goodman makes a victory speech for her supporters at her re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Mayor Carolyn Goodman was re-elected with 54 percent of the vote. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Mayor Carolyn Goodman, from left, gives a victory speech to her supporters with her husband Oscar, and children Oscar Jr., Ross, and Cara, at her re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Mayor Carolyn Goodman was re-elected with 54 percent of the vote. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Mayor Carolyn Goodman, left, kisses her husband Oscar after giving a victory speech for her supporters at her re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Mayor Carolyn Goodman was re-elected with 54 percent of the vote. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Mayor Carolyn Goodman, left, posses for photos with her husband Oscar after giving a victory speech for her supporters at her re-election night party at her campaign headquarters in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Mayor Carolyn Goodman was re-elected with 54 percent of the vote. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Erik Verduzco on Twitter @Erik_Verduzco

Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony and his co-campaign managers Lisa Mayl and Steve Forsythe look at a computer as the final results come in for his bid to unseat Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman during an election night party at Mykonos Greek restaurant Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Sam Morris on Twitter @sammorrisRJ

Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony gives an interview during an election night party at Mykonos Greek restaurant Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Sam Morris on Twitter @sammorrisRJ

Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony talks with a supporter during an election night party at Mykonos Greek restaurant Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Sam Morris on Twitter @sammorrisRJ

Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony talks with supporters during an election night party at Mykonos Greek restaurant Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Sam Morris on Twitter @sammorrisRJ

Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony receives a gift of a bottle of ouzo from a supporter during an election night party at Mykonos Greek restaurant Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Sam Morris on Twitter @sammorrisRJ

Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony talks with a supporter during an election night party at Mykonos Greek restaurant Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Sam Morris on Twitter @sammorrisRJ

Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony, right, talks with a co-campaign manager Steve Forsythe during an election night party at Mykonos Greek restaurant Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Sam Morris on Twitter @sammorrisRJ
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman easily won a second term Tuesday, holding off a ferocious challenge from Stavros Anthony.
In other races, too, it was an Election Night with no surprises and little suspense: Incumbent city council members in Las Vegas, as well as North Las Vegas and Henderson, won decisively.
In Las Vegas, Goodman beat Anthony, the mayor pro tem, by more than 4,600 votes, 55 percent to 42 percent. Two other candidates, Phil Cory and Abdul Shabazz, trailed far behind at 3 percent and less than 1 percent, respectively.
Goodman gave a brief speech at her campaign headquarters on Meadows Lane, the same place where she celebrated her 21-point win at a raucous party in 2011.
“Everybody here has believed in what we want for this city,” the mayor told several dozen supporters and campaign staff. “This support we had … that’s what turned around and made this happen for us.
“We have a lot of work to do, and I’m so grateful to all of you.”
Her husband was a little more pointed: “He’s a piece of crap, this guy,” former Mayor Oscar Goodman said of his wife’s vanquished chief opponent.
Anthony, first elected in 2009, will keep his Ward 2 City Council seat, one awkwardly positioned to Goodman’s immediate right on the City Hall dais.
In council races, incumbents won in all three cities: Ricki Barlow, Bob Coffin and Lois Tarkanian in Las Vegas; Gerri Schroder, Debra March and Sam Bateman in Henderson; and Pamela Goynes-Brown in North Las Vegas.
The trend was clear early in the evening, since the majority of voters in all three cities cast votes either by mail or at early-voting sites.
County elections officials posted the early and mail-in results right after polls closed at 7 p.m. All the winners held leads then, and Goodman’s lead only increased as the night went on.
The closest council race of the night was Bateman’s. With 50.97 percent of the votes, he barely achieved the majority needed to avert a general election runoff. Derek Uehara got 43 percent of the votes, and a second challenger, Tristan Galicia, got 6 percent.
In North Las Vegas, Goynes-Brown had 63 percent of the vote against three challengers, the closest of whom was Laura Perkins at 25 percent.
Richard Cherchio, who served two years on the North Las Vegas council after being appointed in 2009, easily won the seat back with 72 percent of the vote to Matthew Anderson’s 28 percent.
Had there been any contest where no one got a majority of votes, the top two finishers would have faced off June 2 in a general election. That’s now unnecessary.
LAS VEGAS
The race between Goodman, a first-term independent, and Republican Anthony was bruising — and expensive.
It became largely a referendum on the city’s now-abandoned plan to spend $56 million in taxpayer dollars on a downtown soccer stadium.
Goodman was a strong stadium supporter and Anthony a vociferous opponent. The two spent weeks bad-mouthing each other in the run-up to Tuesday’s election, and they shelled out plenty of cash in the process.
Anthony spent $280,735 on his first mayoral campaign, according to election filings, and Goodman spent $755,492 — far more than she did to win the post in 2011.
Goodman’s primary night victory marks a fifth straight mayoral contest win for the Goodman family. Oscar Goodman served three terms as the city’s mayor between 1999 and 2011.
Anthony, a former Metro police officer, called his first mayoral run a learning experience, one he said he doesn’t regret.
“I knew going in I was running against an incumbent with a very recognizable name,” Anthony said. “They outspent us three to one and ran a pretty negative campaign.
“I think we did everything we were supposed to do … 42 percent is pretty good.”
At 15.67 percent, Las Vegas had the highest turnout of the three cities.
Goodman’s win was seen as a vindication of her approach to publicly subsidized downtown projects, the biggest of which was the soccer stadium plan.
Four mayoral debates saw her and Anthony attempt to draw blood over issues ranging from downtown redevelopment to things local leaders have little or no control over — including gun rights and state education spending.
In the Ward 1 council race, Tarkanian walloped Raymond Fletcher, 81 percent to 19 percent. In Ward 3, Coffin’s 56 percent beat five challengers, with Megan Heryet closest at 19 percent.
And Ward 5 Councilman Barlow beat lone challenger Randy Voyard 69 percent to 31 percent.
In the only contested judicial race in any of the three cities, Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Leung held off her only challenger, attorney Yvette Chevalier, 64 percent to 36 percent.
HENDERSON
In Henderson’s hardest fought race, Uehara, a Republican financial adviser, challenged first-term Ward 4 councilman Bateman, a Democrat who works as a Clark County prosecutor.
Uehara raised $56,284, far more than any other Henderson challenger. But that was dwarfed by the nearly $420,000 Bateman raised this year and last.
A disappointed Uehara said he didn’t know what to make of the results. Bateman said he was grateful to have another term.
“I think we’ve spent the last four years making good progress,” Bateman said.
Schroder, running for a third term in Ward 1, easily beat two challengers at 58 percent. Eddie Hamilton had 26 percent of the votes, and Edward O’Neil had 16 percent.
Hamilton said the result showed how hard it is to beat well-funded incumbents, particularly when few people vote. Hamilton hoped to attract young and disaffected voters, but turnout was just 11.81 percent in Henderson.
Councilwoman Debra March beat Crystal Hendrickson easily, 59 percent to 41 percent, in Ward 2.
Challengers tried to make the race a referendum on fiscal policy, arguing the current council members have not been good managers of the city’s budget. But the voters who showed up didn’t agree.
Voting at Henderson’s Green Valley Library was briefly interrupted about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday when a juvenile called police to report seeing a man with a gun.
Officers arrived and saw a man matching the description, but the man let police pat him down and had no weapon.
NORTH LAS VEGAS
Cherchio will be a new councilman in North Las Vegas, with Ward 4 incumbent Wade Wagner not running for re-election. But Cherchio’s not so new.
After being appointed and serving two years, Cherchio lost by a single vote in the 2011 election.
On Tuesday, he easily beat Anderson, a chiropractor. Cherchio raised more than $170,000 for his campaign, while Anderson raised just $8,586.
Cherchio said campaigning gave him a chance to “get into the weeds” to see what residents care about and what needs to change.
As a result, he said he’s got a lot on his to-do list, from small items such as speed limits and stoplights to larger goals: decreasing crime and expanding library hours.
North Las Vegas had the lowest turnout of the cities at 9.38 percent. Considering its low rate of voter registration, Tuesday’s election was decided by less than 2 percent of city residents.
In Ward 2, incumbent Goynes-Brown beat Perkins, with two other challengers far behind. Richard Moyer and Richard Carreon each got 6 percent of the vote.
“You’re always a little bit anxious because you want to seal the deal and get to the end. I’m feeling thankful and very grateful,” Goynes-Brown said. “I’m excited. Any challenges that arise — I’m ready to get moving.”
Contact Eric Hartley at ehartley@reviewjournal.com or 702-550-9229. Find him on Twitter: @ethartley. Contact James DeHaven at jdehaven@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3839. Find him on Twitter: @JamesDeHaven. Contact Bethany Barnes at bbarnes@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861. Find her on Twitter: @betsbarnes.