Porter sees ‘spirited race’ ahead

Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., faces a tough race for re-election this year, just as he has every two years since being elected to Congress in 2002, he said Monday.

"Every race is difficult. Every race is a challenge," he said, speaking to reporters at the Clark County Government Center after filing his candidacy paperwork with the Election Department. "In campaigns, six months is a long time. A lot can happen. It will be a spirited race. I'm excited."

Already, Porter has seen an establishment-backed Democratic opponent come and go, the prosecutor and political unknown Robert Daskas, who raised more than $500,000, then abruptly dropped out.

Now Democrats are putting their hopes on state Sen. Dina Titus, who plans to file her candidacy today.

In Titus, Porter faces a tough, experienced opponent with a built-in base from her unsuccessful gubernatorial bid two years ago. He also is up against what most analysts expect to be a tough election climate for Republicans.

But he noted that his 2002 opponent, Dario Herrera, was a Democratic golden boy; the problems that led to his eventual federal corruption conviction mostly didn't come out until after the election.

In 2004, Porter faced Tom Gallagher, a former casino executive who poured about $1 million of his personal fortune into the race. And in 2006, he defeated Tessa Hafen, a young former staffer to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., 48.5 percent to 46.6 percent.

A former state senator and Boulder City councilman and mayor, Porter, 52, said he thinks his district should send him back to Washington because he has experience getting things done.

He pointed to the solar power plant in Boulder City, one of the nation's largest, that recently came on line, saying he was part of the planning for it during his time in city government. Porter also referred to work in the Legislature and Congress on education and public safety.

With the economy in bad shape, homeowners facing foreclosure and a public health crisis roiling Southern Nevada, "Now, more than ever, we need my leadership and proven success," Porter said. "I know I'm the right guy for the job."

Porter said Nevada families are being squeezed by rising gasoline prices. "Congress and prior administrations have sold our soul for fuel, for oil," leaving the U.S. overly dependent on foreign producers, he said, adding that part of the solution would be allowing more domestic drilling, including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

He said he's confident voters would see "two different styles" with him and Titus as their choices, but declined to specify what the difference would be. He cited Titus' support of Hillary Clinton's presidential bid as proof he and his opponent would be far apart on the issues.

"In our positions on the issues facing Nevada, you'll see a very clear difference as she releases her positions, and we'll have an opportunity to talk about that," Porter said.

Three other Democrats, Barry Michaels, Anna Nevenic and Carlo "Tex" Poliak; a Green Party candidate, Bob Giaquinta; an Independent American Party candidate, Floyd Fitzgibbons; and an independent candidate, Jeffrey C. Reeves, have filed to run for the 3rd Congressional District, which includes mostly suburban areas of Clark County.

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

Candidates who filed for office Monday are listed below. Only those candidates whose district includes Clark County are listed. Filing began May 5 and ends Friday.

D-Democrat

R-Republican

G-Green

IND-Independent

* Denotes incumbent

3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Bob Giaquinta (G)

Jon Porter* (R)

STATE SENATE

DISTRICT 3

Anthony "Tonybop" Wernicke (D)

STATE ASSEMBLY