Campaign contributions flow in Las Vegas City Council races

Las Vegas City Council candidates raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions in the first quarter of the year, with incumbents logging big bucks from casinos, developers and others who do business with the city.

Incumbent Ward 6 Councilman Steve Ross posted the biggest haul, racking up $191,304 in cash, $9,550 from in-kind donations and another $676 in contributions of less than $100.

Ross is among seven candidates seeking three seats in the April 2 election. Other incumbents include Mayor Pro Tem Stavros Anthony in Ward 4 and Councilman Bob Beers in Ward 2.

Ross is being challenged by real estate broker Suzette LaGrange and pest control company owner Paul Rodriguez. Journalist Frank Geary is challenging Anthony, and real estate investor Fayyaz Raja is running for Beers’ seat.

The numbers were in the candidates’ contribution and expense filings, due Tuesday to the secretary of state. The filings cover the period from Jan. 1 to March 8.

Another report covering March 9 to March 28 is due on March 29, days before the April 2 election.

Ross listed major contributions from casinos, including $5,000 from South Point, $5,000 from Boyd Gaming and $2,500 from the California, which Boyd owns. Another $5,000 came from attorney Jay Brown . Ross reported $2,500 from Resort Gaming Group, which is working with Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project.

People with a stake in the council debate about whether to shift more emergency medical transports from private provider AMR to the Las Vegas Fire Department also contributed to Ross.

Las Vegas Firefighters Local 1285 was listed for $5,000. And EMS Management LLC, the AMR parent that is seeking to retain a foothold in the city, listed a $5,000 contribution.

Ross listed $10,000 from companies associated with Republic Services .

Like Ross, Anthony listed big money from city hall insiders. The incumbent posted a total of $147,450, of which $138,530 was in cash, $7,819 from in kind contributions and $1,100 from donations of $100 or less.

Companies associated with developer Bill Walters listed $10,000. Brown, EMS, Republic Services and Resort Gaming Group also donated to Anthony, posting a collective $25,000.

Beers raised $76,300 in contributions, with $70,850 in cash, $5,000 from in-kind contributions and $450 in donations less than $100.

Beers listed $12,500 from Republic Services-related entities, $7,500 from Granite Gaming and $5,000 each from casino companies South Point and Boyd among his largest contributions.

Challengers had a hard time keeping pace with incumbents.

LaGrange raised $94,773, with $83,486 in cash contributions, $8,508 from in-kind donations and $2,779 in contributions of less than $100. LaGrange listed $10,000 from former mayoral candidate Victor Chaltiel and $20,000 from companies related to Ahern Rentals, founded by her grandfather.

Rodriguez raised $5,000.

Raja listed $7,603 in cash and in-kind contributions. Geary raised $3,353 in cash and in-kind contributions. The largest donation was $1,003 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 357 PAC.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285 .