Miller faces ethics complaint in AG’s race

CARSON CITY — An ethics complaint has been filed against Secretary of State Ross Miller on allegations that he used an online election portal to unfairly gain support for his candidacy for attorney general.

The Web portal was set up by his office for military and overseas civilian voters to participate in the Nov. 4 general election.

The complaint dated Sept. 29 was filed by Kirk Lippold, a retired U.S. Navy commander of the USS Cole who at one point had sought the 2nd Congressional District seat when it became vacant after Dean Heller was appointed to the U.S. Senate. Ultimately he withdrew his candidacy and endorsed fellow Republican Mark Amodei, who won the seat in a special election in 2011.

Lippold said in his complaint that Miller’s name, photograph and title are contained in a banner featured on the Web portal link on the secretary of state’s website and that he is using his position to secure “unwarranted privileges and preferences” in his campaign for attorney general.

Miller called the filing “one of those silly complaints” Nevada voters have come to expect 30 days out from an election.

“I’m proud to have created the nation’s first and most comprehensive election system to make it easier for our troops fighting overseas to vote,” he said.

Miller, a Democrat, is running against Republican Adam Laxalt and Independent American Jonathan Hansen for the attorney general office.

Lippold said Miller’s name and photo appear not only on the home page, but also prominently through the first several steps of accessing the Nevada Effective Absentee System for Elections.

“No other candidate for any office, let alone his competitors in the attorney general’s race, have access to similar abilities to advertise or communicate with individuals so close to a would-be voter’s actual ballot,” Lippold said.

Contact Capital Bureau reporter Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801.