Commission race mostly free of rancor

It's a Clark County Commission race with all the elements for a hard-hitting primary.

No incumbent to overthrow.

A well-paying position on what is arguably the state's most powerful political body.

A heavily Democratic district that will make the winner in the June 8 primary almost a shoo-in to succeed Commissioner Rory Reid, who decided not to seek a third term so he could run for governor.

Yet it has been a sedate race mostly free of rancor.

The open District G seat has drawn five Democratic candidates. Most have spoken at political events and on talk shows, but they have not engaged in public debates.

The quiet, collegial competition for such a prestigious post has puzzled one analyst. "It's a little bit of a mystery," said David Damore, political science professor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The candidates might have decided to stick with their core constituents and not hurl barbs to steal their opponents' supporters, Damore said.

Democratic turnout is expected to be low in the primary because there are no hot national races to galvanize voters, he said. This gives candidates less incentive to run antagonistic campaigns.

Last week, commission candidate David Parks, a state senator, mailed out fliers that compared him favorably to other candidates. He outlined his opponents' qualifications in a less-than-flattering way but didn't insult them.

This would appear to be the most aggressive jab made by any of the candidates, and even it lacked detailed criticism.

Parks said he was merely setting himself apart from his rivals.

But one candidate, Greg Esposito, objected to Parks labeling him a lobbyist and implying it was a sinister thing. He called Parks' characterizations "cartoonish."

"Now is the time to speak on what is real," Esposito said. "People want truth. They don't want the game of politics."

Still, for some dander finally to be raised in a high-profile race 10 days before election barely qualifies as a hiccup in Nevada politics.

"I think we've got a group of candidates that are pretty much focused on the issues, which is really strange, but it's kind of nice," said Michael Green, a history professor at the College of Southern Nevada.

It's the opposite of the bruising state Senate race between Democrats Kathy McClain and Mark Manendo, who are knocking each other personally, Green said.

Nasty primaries have been rare in this commission district through the years, unlike some of the other districts, Green said. He said the current race is the most competitive since 1982, when Karen Hayes beat incumbent David Canter .

The candidates might be avoiding heated tussles because they don't want to alienate someone they might need later, Green said. For instance, if Parks loses, he will return to the Legislature and whoever becomes county commissioner will have to deal with him.

"You do not want to make it impossible to do business with him later," Green said.

Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.