ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 13

Assemblyman Chad Christensen almost didn't run for re-election this year. Now the three-term lawmaker faces a Republican primary against first-time candidate Michael Kurcab to keep his seat.

The winner of the primary will face Democrat Andrew Martin in the general election, along with Independent American Party candidate Leonard M. Foster and Libertarian Party candidate Steffan Reed.

On the second-to-last day for candidate filings, Christensen announced he would not seek re-election and had chosen a preferred successor. He said he needed more time to attend to his family and business.

But Christensen reversed himself on the last day of filing, saying his preferred replacement had declined and he felt duty bound to again represent District 13, a vast district that includes the western edge of the metropolitan area and extends out to the Clark County border.

Christensen said his constituents shouldn't question his commitment to serving.

"With the support of my family, I'm more committed than ever," he said, adding that he plans to take his wife and five children with him to Carson City for the first time for the 2009 legislative session if he's re-elected.

A businessman whose primary business is an investment fund, Christensen, 38, said his "experience and priorities" are the reasons he should be sent back to the Legislature. He said he hopes to study the sources of transportation funding and the feasibility of toll roads to find "long-term solutions" to the state's highway funding shortfall.

Christensen said he is firmly opposed to raising taxes and committed to working within existing revenues.

Kurcab, 31, is an audio engineer who lives in Sandy Valley. He said he entered the race when he heard that Christensen was out, then stayed in because he thought running for office would give him a platform for his ideas.

Kurcab identifies himself as a "Ron Paul Republican" who got involved in politics because of the Texas congressman's presidential run on a platform of libertarian principles. Like Paul, he believes government should be radically reduced.

"People get used to government providing for them. That's what I'd like to change," he said. In particular, he would like to cut welfare and social programs.

Kurcab also would pursue limiting development and growth in rural areas and is opposed to pumping water from rural counties to Clark County, he said.

Kurcab finds many aspects of campaigning distasteful. He is not accepting contributions and will not put up campaign signs or send mailers. He said he believes Christensen is "very well qualified for the job," but might not be totally committed to it based on his statements about not running.

Contact reporter Molly Ball at mball@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.