City attorney tosses bid to oust candidate

A complaint challenging the candidacy of Adriana Martinez was thrown out Thursday because the challenger is not a Las Vegas resident, according to the city attorney's office.

Martinez, the former head of the state Democratic Party, is seeking the Ward 3 City Council seat. The challenge was filed by Bob Bellis, who alleged that Martinez doesn't meet the residency requirement to run for office.

Thursday evening, a statement from City Attorney Brad Jerbic stated that "the city attorney determined that the written challenge was defective because it was not filed by or on behalf of a resident of the city."

"I'm really pleased," Martinez said. "I know that they're coming after me because I have a strong lead."

Bellis listed his address as 2850 S. Mohave Road, which is in unincorporated Clark County.

He also owns property in the John S. Park Historic District in downtown Las Vegas and is even a member of the Las Vegas Historic Preservation Commission. He is listed as an at-large member "owning property and residing within the Historic District."

Martinez's filing documents list 812 Sweeney Ave. as her address, which is in downtown Las Vegas. County assessor's records list her as the owner of the property since 2009.

She spent a year remodeling it and is not finished, she said Thursday, and lives in a casita on the property.

She also owns a house at 1499 Sunair Circle, which she said is a rental property.

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.