Tea Party crasher arouses anger
The Tea Party of Nevada is a threat to the local Tea Party movement, according to leaders of the latter. And they want to make it clear there is a distinct difference between the two before the upcoming November election.
About 200 people attended the Nevada Action Coalition meeting last week at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, to discuss the potential destruction of the grass-roots movement by its opponents.
The meeting focused on traditional and marketing campaign strategies. Participants discussed how to unite as a group, recruit volunteers to spread their message and point out the "wolf in sheep's clothing," such as the threat of a third party taking away votes from the traditional two-party system.
"We don't know who these people are, and we don't know what they're up to," said Frank Ricotta, coalitions director for the Clark County Republicans. "What we would like them to do is to come out and engage us in conversation, find out what their platform is, find out what they think they could accomplish and talk them into backing the conservative Republican Party."
Scott Ashjian, a registered Republican and a Las Vegas businessman, is expected to file his candidacy for the U.S. Senate under the Tea Party banner today .
The secretary of state requires minor parties and candidates to obtain ballot access in one of four ways:
■ At the 2008 general election, received for any candidates 1 percent or more votes, about 9,083, for congressional representatives in Districts 1-3.
■ Have at least 1 percent of the total number of registered voters in the state designate the minor political party on voter registration applications.
■ Collect enough valid signatures as a party and submit a petition equal to 1 percent of the total number of votes cast at the last general election for the offices of congressional representatives in Districts 1-3 and with signature verification from a county clerk or registrar of voters no later than May 6, 2010, and after verification, filed with the secretary of state no later than June 11, 2010.
■ Qualified one or more of its candidates for partisan office, other than president or vice president, on the ballot by filing a petition on behalf of a candidate for statewide office containing 250 valid signatures or a petition with 100 signatures for a nonstatewide office.
According to the secretary of state's office, Ashjian has filed a petition with 250 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot once he declares his candidacy.
So far, Ashjian has remained quiet about his candidacy. "I appreciate your patience, and I will respond and answer all questions as soon as I file. TPN is real and we are prepared to go the distance!" Ashjian responded by e-mail.
According to a recent Bolger poll, Ashjian could skim off 22 percent of the vote and increase Sen. Harry Reid's chances for re-election. Some say the third party creation is a ploy by Reid's campaign to boost his chances of winning. Both Reid's office and Ashjian's campaign have denied the rumor.
Joe Leal, a registered Republican and lifelong Nevada resident, said he has no interest in a third party challenger.
"A third party Tea Party means nothing to me," Leal said. "I think what you've got is somebody who just believes he can grab that title and run under that banner. But as far as I'm concerned, the Tea Party is a spirit to me. It's just a feeling that you want to do something and get active."
Contact Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.
