ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 8

Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley's name is not on the Aug. 12 primary ballot, but she clearly is a big campaign issue for her District 8 Republican challengers, Kevin L. Child and Jim Jonas.

Child hired a lawyer and filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court that challenges the right of Buckley, D-Las Vegas, to seek another term. She did not draw a primary challenger so would advance to the November election if the court rules she can seek another term.

"She is term-limited out," said Child, who in 2002 lost to Buckley by nearly a 2-to-1 margin. "Twelve years means 12 years."

The Supreme Court has yet to rule on his challenge.

Jonas, making his first run for public office, is not as outspoken as Child over the term limit issue.

But he is upset with Buckley's televised speech attacking Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons just before the June 27 special session of the Legislature.

"In her speech she sounded like she was running for governor," he said. "It isn't that Buckley hasn't done a good job, but it is the district that is important. She has drawn a line in the sand (against the governor). We have to quit the bickering and work together."

Child, according to Jonas, has an ax to grind with Buckley over his previous loss.

"He didn't get a lot of support and now he thinks the only way to win is challenge her through term limits. It has become a personal thing for him," Jonas said.

When it comes to issues, Child and Jonas are much alike. They oppose increasing taxes, and would cut state spending if necessary. But they would do everything possible to avoid layoffs of teachers if budget cuts are necessary at the 2009 Legislature.

Child favors privatization of the school district while Jonas would fire administrators if school budget cuts are necessary.

"I am a businessman," Child said. "Half of the legislators don't know anything about business. The school district (in Clark County) is too big. It is administration heavy. Sell the schools and let a private company run them."

Jonas said there are 207 administrators in the Clark County School District who make a lot more than teachers.

"You don't cut from the bottom, you cut from the top," he said.

Jonas added the Legislature should look at the state budget proposed by the governor next year and then approve a budget that is 85 percent of that proposal.

"That would give us 15 percent to hold onto in case it is needed," he said. "Let's underpromise. The whole country is hurting. We have to balance our budget."

Child said the state needs to take steps to stimulate the economy without increasing taxes.

"I don't want to overtax people," he said. "If you increase taxes, then they are just passed on to the consumers. We need a more friendly venue for business."

Though he has not held office, Child maintains he has a long record of volunteer work that has helped the community. He pointed to his efforts to reduce graffiti and to establish Safe Neighborhood programs.

Unlike Child, Jonas said he would not introduce any bills at the 2009 session.

"Having more laws does not mean they would necessarily be good laws," he said. "The state has a lot of problems that have occurred over a long time. I am not so foolhardy to think I can come in tomorrow and fix all those problems."

For his first bill, Child would introduce legislation to ensure doctors are not overprescribing drugs. His wife died in March and he believes her death was because of overprescription of medication.

"They are just handing out drugs. We need to link pharmacies together and watch what doctors are doing."

Whichever GOP candidate emerges from the primary, he will find his work is just beginning.

Not only is Buckley the best known and most powerful member of the Assembly, she has been named the top Assembly member for five consecutive legislative sessions in a poll conducted by the Review-Journal.

And the number of Republicans in the district has fallen by 300 voters since the last time Child ran in 2002.

The Democrats have added 700 registered voters since that race.

Contact reporter Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.