Candidates assemble in North Las Vegas in final push to sway voters

More than 20 candidates gathered, many with their families, offering freshly baked cookies and free campaign swag Oct. 15 in North Las Vegas to try to sway residents' votes before next week's election.

The North Las Vegas Alliance of Homeowner Associations and Concerned Citizens and the Sun City Aliante Association invited candidates to a nontraditional format for meet-and-greets. Rather than speaking behind a podium, candidates were limited to a short introduction followed by two hours of standing near their card tables to stump.

Democrat Steven Horsford, who is seeking to represent the fourth Congressional district, said the event was a critical campaign stop.

"We're in a sprint, and we're trying to talk to as many voters as we can," Horsford said. "You know, I'm running in a Congressional district that covers seven counties, so we've got a lot of people, a lot of voters to reach out to talk about our positions and how we're going to move the state and the community forward."

Two representatives of Republican candidate Danny Tarkanian set up a table at the event, too.

Organizer and former North Las Vegas City Councilman Richard Cherchio said he thought the event was successful and plans to hold another in this format for the municipal election. It was the first time the organization held an event in which residents went from table to table to talk with candidates. At past events, candidates were given 60 seconds to talk to a group at the library.

"I think to herd 25 candidates in one room at one time in this type of format - I think it was very successful. It's something different," Cherchio said.

As a former councilman, Cherchio said he tried to think about what the residents needed from the event rather than want the politicians may want.

"To be able to introduce yourself and then place yourself in a more relaxed atmosphere and have people one-on-one, I think that's better for the candidate, but I know it's much better for the residents who really need to know who they're voting for rather than what they read," Cherchio said.

Bob Harris, a retired optician, came to meet the candidates he didn't know.

"This is really helpful because I just met Horsford," he said. "Again, I know about him, but I wanted to meet him or his representative to find out how he really feels."

He said he appreciated the chance to ask direct questions, rather than listen to a stump speech.

Democrat Tom Collins, running for county commissioner of District B, said that while the room was a little thin with residents, the most active voters showed up, making it a meaningful opportunity for candidates.

"There are as many candidates here as there are people," Collins said. "The difference is that these people are active in the community. These are the homeowner association presidents and citizens and residents that network with a lot of people."

With his distinctive cowboy hat, Collins said he knew he was on familiar ground. "There aren't five people here that I don't know, and I'm counting those two little kids over there," Collins said.

U.S. Sen. Dean Heller and Rep. Shelley Berkley were not at the event, instead facing off in their final debate. Representatives from the campaigns were available to answer questions. President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney's campaigns also sent representatives.

Ken Barth, who works in publishing, said he attended to get clarification from candidates about the separation of judiciary from law enforcement. He said he appreciated the format because he was able to walk up to judge candidates and politicians and ask them a narrowly focused question.

"I want to know how - if the biggest promotion is you're endorsed by law enforcement - how will they be neutral and detached as a judge," Barth said.

Horsford said he's looking for direct questions in the countdown to Nov. 6. At this point, he said, it's most important that voters understand the clear distinctions between candidates.

"I think it's very important for all voters to do their homework, know where the candidates stand on issues and to vote their interests, but no matter what: Get out and vote," Horsford said. "Vote, vote, vote!"

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Laura Phelps at lphelps@viewnews.com or 702-477-3839.