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Aug. 02, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Democrats paint blue target on Heller's seat

Party puts Derby's congressional race on Red-to-Blue program

By ED VOGEL
REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU
More Info


Jill Derby
Democratic candidate's party has made inroads in registration in district since 2006

CARSON CITY -- Democratic congressional candidate Jill Derby figures her chances of defeating Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., improved Friday when her race was placed in her party's Red-to-Blue program.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee decided the Heller-Derby 2nd Congressional District rematch will be one of the races it will target in its program to turn red Republican districts to blue Democratic ones.

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    • The 3rd Congressional District race between state Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, and Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., earlier had received the same designation.

    "This support shows national recognition of how strong our grassroots campaign has grown here in Nevada," Derby said. "The people of Nevada are ready for a change in Washington, and I will be a voice for that change."

    In response to the Derby announcement,Heller spokesman Stewart Bybee said only that the congressman "is working on passing legislation important to communities across Nevada and representing his constituents in Congress. He is focused on lowering fuel prices, bolstering the economy, and securing our nation's borders."

    Two years ago Derby, a former member of the Board of Regents, lost to Heller, then the secretary of state, by 5 percentage points.

    She quit her job as state Democratic chairwoman last winter to concentrate on a rematch against Heller this November.

    At the time of their race in 2006, Republicans outnumbered Democrats by more than 48,000 registered voters in the 2nd district -- which covers the entire state except for most of urban Las Vegas.

    Latest registration figures, released Friday, show the gap between the two has dropped to about 28,400 voters.

    But district voters have not elected a Democrat to Congress since the district was created with the 1982 election.

    "Every single day we are more confident because of the increased Democratic registrations," said David Mason, Derby's campaign manager. "This is the only district in the state where every month more Democrats are registering than Republicans."

    With the race part of the Red-to-Blue program, Mason said Derby can expect increased national donations, as well as those from within Nevada.

    In 2006, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said it raised an average of $404,000 for Democrats in targeted races.

    In expenditure reports filed June 30, Heller reported he had raised $1.22 million in the race but also had $366,932 in debt. Derby reported total receipts of $439,422 but just $2,000 in debt. Her campaign emphasized she had raised 30 percent more than Heller in the most recent quarter.

    But a Review-Journal poll in June showed Heller with a 14 percentage point lead over Derby.

    Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.



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    U LIBERAL wrote on August 03, 2008 10:52 PM: HELLER DERBY HELLER DERBY
    BOTH ARE LIBERALS
    BOTH SHOULD GET THE BOOT


    Nancy wrote on August 02, 2008 09:57 AM: This isn't just about being a Democrat or Republican - Look at Heller's voting record - the man is a fraud or a fool and either way we should kick him to the curb.


    Ron Shay wrote on August 02, 2008 09:45 AM: two much tax tom,

    I assume you would be happiest if the Democrats just kept record spending going and just BORROWING the money from China then to pay our way as we go.

    Pay our way means with revenue and revenue is taxes.

    So, which do you prefer, pay as you go or spend and borrow?


    Ron Shale wrote on August 02, 2008 09:43 AM: bobby,
    Since Heller has earmarked legislationt to the tune of $15,000,000 in 18 months, I wouldn't look to him for as a fiscal conservative mantle. He then votes against the overiding appropriations bill and then says he votes against out of control spending!

    Heller is a lier and purposefully misleads the voters. If he against out of control spending, stop inserting earmarks for campaign contributors!

    Heller represents exactly what is wrong with Congress and it is time to retire him from Congress.


    two much tax Tom wrote on August 02, 2008 09:41 AM: Well after what happen in the House of Reps this week and reading that Dena Titus is for drilling for more oil, it is hard to believe that she will go against the wishes of Polosi. Now the demorcracks want to put another person that wants to keep gas prices high and tax the hell out of us. If these two get into office, they will march to the tune of Polosi. Hold on to you money and keep them out.


    bobby wrote on August 02, 2008 05:14 AM: As a registered democrat, I for one only hope the dems do not succeed in getting this seat. We can't afford more illegals here, and more taxes