Henderson candidate who stayed in shadows wins primary

A Democratic candidate for Henderson constable put in little 15031 for his primary win, leaving it to a higher power to capture victory Tuesday.

Terry Watson, who did no press and had no discernible campaign except for a last-minute mailer Monday, defeated former Henderson firefighter Joe Pitts by 34 votes, receiving 3,051 votes, to advance to the Nov. 4 general election.

The elusive Watson said in an email Friday he was not even sure he wanted to run. He also stated he did not want to do any interviews at this time.

“I wasn’t sure if this was something I wanted to do, but I went ahead and put my name in the hat,” Watson said by email. “Since I wasn’t certain I didn’t put much 15031 into the campaign and decided to just let the grace of God determine the outcome. Much to my surprise I won the primary, and I want to thank all those who voted for me.”

Watson did not participate in the Review-Journal’s Voter Guide. He only responded Friday after a reporter called him twice after the primary, emailed him, tried to contact him through Facebook and knocked on his front door, leaving a business card with the woman who answered.

The 49-year-old Watson was not the only one surprised. Pitts said he never met his opponent despite visiting Watson’s house in Henderson twice, leaving his phone number with a neighbor.

Pitts, who lost past bids for Henderson City Council and university regent, said he knew he was in trouble when a campaign mailer targeting Democrats who had not voted early appeared in his mailbox the day before the election.

“That’s a sophistication that you don’t find in an amateur, to target a mailer like that,” said Pitts, who admitted to taking Watson lightly and not campaigning as much as he should have. “When those fliers came Monday, I told my brother, ‘They got me.’ ”

But who “they” is remains unclear to Pitts, who put up a few signs around town spending $1,508. He said he was focused on preparing and saving for the general election.

Incumbent Constable Earl Mitchell, a Republican who easily defeated his closest of three primary opponents by 15 percentage points, said he anticipated having to run against Pitts.

“I fully expected Joe Pitts to be my opponent,” said Mitchell, stating he had met with him. “It just goes to show you the nature of campaigning.”

Mitchell said he has reached out to Watson but has not heard from him.

According to a contributions and expense report filed with the state June 6, Watson spent $1,670 in the primary. However, $1,600 was a June 5 donation for the mailer by Deborah L. Watson, a nonpartisan registered voter who lives a short walking distance from Terry Watson in the same condominium complex in Henderson.

Deborah L. Watson did not return a call seeking comment on why she supported the candidate, or if the two are related.

According to public records, Terry Watson moved to Nevada six years ago, likely around the time he first registered to vote in the county in October 2008.

Watson’s occupation is also unclear. In his finance report to the state, he said he works for the Briad Group, the parent company for the family restaurant chain TGI Fridays.

He did not return a follow-up email asking if he has any law enforcement background.

However, it seems as if Watson plans to continue his low-profile campaign until the general election in November.

“I realize if I do win that I must attend a law enforcement academy,” Watson said in the email. “That is all I like to say at this time, and again I am thankful to those who voted for me.”

Contact Arnold M. Knightly at aknightly@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3882. Find him on Twitter: @KnightlyGrind.