2012 Voter Guide: Nevada Assembly District 36

The hard work for James Oscarson might already be done.

The Republican primary winner of the newly formed Assembly District 36, which encompasses rural parts of Clark County, as well as Lincoln and Nye counties, has a distinct advantage in registered voters in his district - 45 percent Republican to 32 percent Democrat.

Oscarson will face Anthony Wernicke, a perennial Nevada candidate with unsuccessful campaigns for the state Senate, Las Vegas mayor and Clark County assessor in recent years. Wernicke, a Las Vegas resident, was unopposed in the primary.

Oscarson received 1,618 votes, advancing to the general election and defeating candidates Walt Grudzinski and Delmar W. Leatham.

Oscarson moved to Nevada in 1979 and has lived in Pahrump, Las Vegas and Logandale, all within his district.

This is his first foray into politics. Oscarson said he has children and grandchildren throughout the state and is invested in Nevada's future. Since his primary win, Oscarson has taken many trips throughout District 36 to make his presence known, he said.

"I'm attending everything I can so voters know I'll be there for them to represent their best interests in Carson City," he said.

Oscarson has been endorsed by Leatham, one of the candidates he defeated in the primary.

Wernicke made headlines last year after his brother, Edward Wernicke, was found shot dead on Jan. 20, 2011, near Alta Drive and Jones Boulevard.

After the slaying, Anthony Wernicke wrote an email to supporters claiming his brother was killed by an illegal immigrant and he planned to send a bounty hunter to Mexico to find the shooter.

"This piece of crap is probably heading to Mexico," Wernicke wrote. "Like most Mexicans, they bring their families here and commit crimes against U.S. citizens and head back to Mexico ... we have (a) team going to Mexico next week."

Wernicke, who did not respond to multiple calls for this story, said at the time he would run for state Senate and dedicate new immigration legislation to his brother.

The suspected killer was later arrested after attempting to cross the Mexican border into California. He was a U.S. citizen.

Oscarson said he hasn't seen Wernicke campaigning but won't take anything for granted.

"I'm confident but not overconfident," he said. "We're campaigning right up to the day of election."

Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.