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Aug. 12, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

GOP officials root for disqualified Woodbury

By SCOTT WYLAND
REVIEW-JOURNAL
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The local Republican Party could have a tough time keeping one of its two seats on the Clark County Commission after the state Supreme Court's decision last month bumped a 27-year incumbent from the ballot.

The high court's ruling that 12-year term limits prevent Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, a Republican, from running for office again has put the party in limbo going into today's primary election.


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    • Party leaders want Woodbury to draw the most votes within District A, even though he's disqualified. That would allow the party's central committee to meet Wednesday night and choose who it thinks would be the best candidate to run in November's general election.

    This candidate might be one of the two on the ballot -- Brian Scroggins or Duane Christy -- or it might be someone not in the race.

    Either way, the candidate will have the formidable task of raising enough money to take on a man heavily favored to win the Democratic primary: University Regent Steve Sisolak, who has amassed a $600,000 war chest, most of it from his own pocket.

    Woodbury noted that an unforeseen consequence of state officials challenging his eligibility in June was that he had already sunk $317,000 into his campaign, none of which he'll recoup.

    "I wish we could have directed it toward a candidate we all support instead of having it be needless expenditures," Woodbury said. "I still have some ongoing campaign commitments. I don't know what the bottom line is going to be, but it's not over yet."

    Sisolak, who filed a challenge to Woodbury's right to seek re-election, said spending $500,000 of his own money is worth it if he can win a seat that will enable him to tackle pressing problems.

    He also wants to show that he is serious.

    "It's very difficult to ask donors to invest in my campaign if I'm not willing to invest in my own campaign," Sisolak said. "We're confident we'll have the funds to run a very competitive race."

    In contrast, Scroggins, who owns a sign company, has about $60,000 in campaign money, and Christy, who owns a collection agency, has spent about $40,000 promoting himself. If either were to garner the most votes in today's primary, that individual would automatically advance to the general election.

    Scroggins said he drummed up the $60,000 in four days and believes he could raise a sizable sum in the coming weeks. He knows what he'd be up against with Sisolak.

    "We absolutely realize we have to raise a lot more money," Scroggins said.

    Christy contends that, as a businessman, he knows how to get maximum campaign results while being frugal. He estimates that he could buy enough fliers and air time with $20,000.

    "I won't need a half a million dollars," Christy said. "I hope people will see that I will run government as tight as I run my campaign."

    The secretary of state's late challenge to Woodbury's eligibility put the Republicans at a disadvantage because other viable candidates had little chance to jump in and raise campaign money to take on the likes of Sisolak, said David Damore, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

    Now party leaders are trying to salvage the race by encouraging residents to vote for Woodbury so they can handpick a contender, Damore said. "That's a tough message to get out to voters now."

    At stake is one of only two Republican-held seats on what is arguably the most powerful political body in the state. Chip Maxfield is vacating the other seat at year's end.

    "That's why it's important for us to have the strongest possible candidate for that district," said Bernie Zadrowski, chairman of the local Republican party.

    Zadrowski said if Woodbury wins, the central committee, which has several hundred members, must meet to choose a replacement, even if they like the runner-up on the ballot.

    Several worthy prospects have expressed interest, but have asked to remain anonymous, Zadrowski said.

    One possible candidate would be Henderson City Councilman Steve Kirk, who said someone in the party encouraged him to step in.

    Kirk said the commission seat intrigues him, in part because living in the district his whole life and serving on the city council since 1999 have given him a deep knowledge of the area and its needs.

    He agreed that Sisolak would be a tough match for whoever runs in the general election.

    "If you've got somebody who's willing to buy the seat at any price, it makes it very difficult to overcome," Kirk said.

    Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.

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    Tammy wrote on August 12, 2008 05:09 PM: Adrienne-

    Ridiculous statements like that are infuriating. Who do you think are these mysterious "insiders?" Any Republican can be on the Central Committee! Just fill out a simple form, turn it in, and show up!

    Its astounding that you can be so indignant and know nothing about the process. But no one can be that mad at you, its just like the majority of American's that chose not to vote and complain about things later. That type of thinking is actually quite popular - stupid, but popular.


    Michael Ray Thompson wrote on August 12, 2008 03:54 PM: I'm from Texas. I find it hard to believe that the Clark County Republican Party is having so much trouble raising money for the 2008 campaign. They should have known that the Democrats and the liberals would bring all of their big guns out in 2008. I hope they are better prepared for the 2010 campaign.


    Randy wrote on August 12, 2008 01:58 PM: To Bernie Zadrowski!
    To bad the story written is true! Sad but True! You should be ashamed of yourself for wanting a retraction. Live with it LOSER. Your lack of leadership has caused the Republican Party in this county to go down the toilet. You are a moron and a joke around political circles. To think that you would allow your central committee to choose a replacement when Woodbury loses is a disgrace. You just don't get it! Have you ever thought about turning in your resignation to the Party? THINK ABOUT IT! I don't know who has HURT Nevada more, you or that idiot Gibbons!


    Steve wrote on August 12, 2008 01:17 PM: Too bad the Republican party couldn't find a true Republican to run for President. Instead, we are stuck with yet another RINO who no real Republican would support.


    LOL wrote on August 12, 2008 11:38 AM: The funny thing about this entire process was that the term limits were pushed by the Republicans and now it is biting them in the a--.

    Got to laugh about that.


    CCRCC Member wrote on August 12, 2008 10:56 AM: Adrienne, I agree. I would encourage you to join the Central Committee. Go to www.ClarkGOP.org for information, or call the County office at 258-9184.


    Bernie Zadrowski wrote on August 12, 2008 10:48 AM: The Clark County GOP is not "rooting" for Woodbury, or any other Republican to win the primary election today. When interviewed by this reporter I specifically told him that it is NOT the place of ANY county party officer or representative to engage in this kind of hyperbole. If the reporter is talking to other officers or officials within the party, other than myself, that is not made clear in the article. In fact, the article does not identify any party official, anonymous or by name, who is rooting for Bruce Woodbury. Equaly egregious as the the title is the statement that "party leaders want Woodbury to draw the most votes." Again, this statement is not attributed to anyone in the Clark County Republican Party. One is left with the impression after reading this aricle that the Clark County Republican Party does not want one of its own, Brian Scroggins, to win the primary election. That is simply not the case. Recognizing that one cannot unring a bell, I have nevertheless asked for a retraction or a clarification on this issue.

    Bernie Zadrowski
    Chairman, Clark County Republican Party


    Adrienne wrote on August 12, 2008 09:36 AM: I am a republican and so is my husband. If Woodbury still wins the primary and the Republican Committee doesn't appoint whoever finishes second, I will GUARANTEE you that we will vote for the democrat who wins the primary. This should be decided by the people, not a select few insiders.


    Kevin wrote on August 12, 2008 07:32 AM: There are two good things about a candidate who ponies up their own money. First, they are not beholden to special interest groups that donate to their campaign, and second they aren't likely to be corrupt like so many elected officials. I like what Sisolak says, if he won't invest in himself, why should I invest my vote in him? As for this guy Kirk, I never even heard of him, who is he?


    Kirk wrote on August 12, 2008 06:30 AM: Kirk's only had one opponent because he does a great job for the City of Henderson and nobody can beat him.


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