Henderson dismisses bid to reject candidate for City Council

Henderson officials have dismissed a residency challenge against Ward 1 City Council candidate Thomas Wagner.

In a letter declaring the matter closed, Senior Assistant City Attorney Christine Guerci-Nyhus said Wagner provided proof that he has lived in Ward 1 since at least Jan. 5 as required by state law.

"I'm pleased this issue is behind us," Wagner said in a written statement. "It occupied two full day's of my time to address it, but in the end, it is the public's right to ask a question and it is my job as an individual seeking public office to promptly reply."

Edward Kantor and Katherine Caro, who are brother and sister, protested Wagner's candidacy, claiming his primary residence is at 2728 Carolina Blue Blvd. in Ward 2, making him ineligible for the Ward 1 race.

Among the documents Wagner submitted to the city in response were the lease for the house where he lives in Ward 1 and the rental agreement for the house he owns in Ward 2 but is leasing out to someone else.

The 46-year-old Las Vegas police officer is one of five candidates for the Ward 1 seat on the council.

City Council candidates must live in the districts they would represent if elected.

Wagner ran in Ward 2 in 2007 and came within 85 votes of upsetting then-City Councilman Andy Hafen.

When Hafen was elected mayor in 2009, Wagner was one of 14 candidates for appointment to the Ward 2 seat that eventually went to Debra March.

Wagner denied allegations that he moved into Ward 1 to run for office. He said he moved out of his 3,800-square-foot house in Ward 2 because his children are grown and he wanted to save on utility costs.

He said he didn't want to sell the home in the bad market, so he decided to rent it out and lease a smaller, three-bedroom place in Ward 1.

Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350.