Mayberry backs Hafen in June 2 runoff

Michael Mayberry campaigned for Henderson mayor on a platform of shaking up the status quo. Andy Hafen said he wanted to keep the city the way it is.

Now Mayberry, who came in fourth in the April 7 primary, is throwing his support to Hafen, the first-place finisher.

A 22-year member of the Henderson City Council, Hafen faces fellow Councilman Steve Kirk in the June 2 runoff that will give the state's second largest municipality a new leader for the first time in 12 years. Mayor Jim Gibson cannot run again because of term limits.

Mayberry, a former Henderson police chief, said Thursday he believes Hafen is honest, dedicated and not beholden to any special interest group.

"We worked together closely during my six years as chief of police," Mayberry said. "It was always my belief that in his (Hafen's) heart, Henderson was always first."

In a field of five candidates, Hafen got 37 percent of the primary vote. Mayberry 13 percent.

Hafen said he was grateful for Mayberry's support.

"I think it gives me a distinct advantage," Hafen said of Mayberry's support. "But I'm still going to work very hard. I'm walking (canvassing for votes) every day. I'm going to all the candidate forums. We're going to give it our very best shot."

Mayberry said he especially appreciated Hafen's support on an unsuccessful bond measure in 2001 that would have raised money to hire more police. Mayberry said he also thinks highly of Kirk but believes Hafen is the best man for the job.

Mayberry and Kirk are Republicans and Hafen is a Democrat, though municipal elections are officially nonpartisan. Mayberry said partisanship "should go by the wayside" when selecting the right candidate.

Kirk charged that Mayberry was only in the race as revenge for Kirk's vote against giving a city lobbying contract to former Police Chief Richard Perkins, a former Assembly speaker who is now a legislative lobbyist.

"Mayberry ran for mayor to get back at me for voting my conscience against his buddy's lobbying contract, and this is just a continuation of that vendetta," Kirk said.

Kirk said he was confident his message of smaller government would carry him to victory.

Mayberry denied Kirk's charge.

Contact reporter Molly Ball at mball@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.