By Mark Waite
Nye County Commissioner Gary Hollis raised twice as much in his campaign for re-election as all the other county commission candidates combined, according to reports filed with the Nevada Secretary of State last week.
Hollis, who announced his candidacy for a third term on the county commission early in the campaign, reported $11,500 in donations. Likewise Nevada Assembly District 36 candidate James Oscarson dwarfs his opponents in fundraising, with $18,916 raised so far.
State Senate candidate Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, currently the state Assembly minority leader, outdid everyone, with a $41,800 war chest. Among the seven Pahrump Justice of the Peace candidates, Ron Kent posted a campaign war chest of $15,901 to lead the field.
Hollis lists William Wahl, manager of Amargosa Valley mining firm IMV Nevada, as his biggest contributor; Wahl poneyed up $5,000. Hollis drove a tractor demolishing the old donut shop to pave the way for a mobile home park and Pahrump Senior Center planned by Dr. Jeffrey Gunter, who donated $1,500 to Hollis’ campaign and $500 of in-kind donations for radio commercials; Gunter has been a reliable contributor to Hollis, who received $5,000 from the dermatologist in 2008.
U.S. Environmental Services of Nevada LLC, managed by Robert Ford of Amargosa Valley, donated $1,500 to Hollis. Creekside Investments LLC, owned by John Shea, who operates Pahrump Valley Disposal, chipped in $1,000. Cash America, a company that owns Super Pawn, donated $1,000. Focus Property Group hasn’t been active lately in Nye County, but one of their political action committees, Smaxy PAC gave Hollis $500.
Hollis’ opponents Frank Carbone reported $2,074 in contributions from himself. Garren Hesketh didn’t have any contributions in the reporting period that ended May 22. Darryl Lackey didn’t file a report.
Julie Hargis leads in the fundraising among Nye County Commission District 3 candidates, with $5,000. Stephen Burchett, who lists her same address, donated $3,000, Creekside Investments gave her $1,000. Hargis donated $750 to her own campaign.
Ken Searles reported a $3,000 contribution from himself. Andy Alberti reported $1,815 in contributions, $1,000 of that was from Creekside Investments. Judith Holmgren donated $200 to Donna Cox’s campaign, Cox’s only contributor.
The Oscarson campaign for state assembly lists numerous donors from the medical community and Valley Electric Association. R. Don Oscarson of Scottsdale, Ariz. donated $4,000, Dr. Haikal Osama of Las Vegas donated $1,200. A group of donors gave $1,000: the Valley Electric Association Political Action Committee, Creekside Investments, RAN Services Inc., William Wahl and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Southwest Gas gave $750. Dr. Charles King Bibby Jr., the Desert View medical director, gave $466.
Kaempfer, Crowell and Renshaw, the law firm that bid on the county’s lobbying contract, donated $500, along with county Assistant Sheriff Rick Marshall, developer Hollis Harris, Healthcare Partners Nevada LLC, Cable ADS Media Group, DGB Enterprises LLC of Las Vegas, Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada, Alex Veisman of Desert View Hospital, Republican activist Richard Hatch, Friends for Borasky, and VEA lobbyist Fisher Consulting LLC, who also lists $414 of in-kind contributions.
Oscarson’s opponent Walt Grudzinski lists $2,100, of which $1,600 came from family members. Delmar Leatham of Logandale reported $5,437 in donations, besides $2,837 of his own money, he lists $1,500 from mining company Newmont USA Ltd.
Goicoechea, a Eureka rancher, swamps the other two candidates for the vast new state Senate district. He received a $10,000 donation from the Senate Leadership Conference, along with $5,000 apiece from the Keystone Corp. and Cary Catz of Las Vegas. RAN Services donated $2,500, AT&T gave $3,000. the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce donated $2,500, the law firm of Snell and Wilmer as well as the Nevada Realtors PAC each donated $2,000, Bobby Ellis of Henderson donated $1,500. Goicoechea received $1,000 contributions from Pfizer Inc., the Lewis and Roca law firm and Southwest Gas, The Capital Company Ltd., R and S Investments, Union Pacific Railroad and Altria Client Services.
Goicoechea’s opponent, Pahrump Town Board member Harley Kulkin, doesn’t list any contributions and only $478.33 in expenses. Independent American Party candidate Janine Hansen took in $1,900 and $1,155 worth of in-kind contributions, most came in a $1,000 donation from Michael and Pamela Lattin of Elko.
Ron Kent, who donated almost $45,000 of his own money in a very close district attorney’s race two years ago, donated $12,451 to his campaign for Pahrump Justice of the Peace this year. Mike DeBauche, owner of Irene’s Casino, donated $1,000, Saitta Trudeau donated $750, Harris Ltd. gave $500, the law firm of Walsh and Friedman Ltd. gave $500. Much of his expenses went to direct mailings through the U.S. Postal Service.
Former Nye County Sheriff’s Deputy Travis Huggins reported $4,200 in donations, of which $3,600 came from himself. Deputy District Attorney Charles Watkins amassed $1,426 in donations, the law firm of Stovall and Associates gave $625, his brother, attorney John Watkins gave $500, the Sanders Family Winery gave $500 worth of in-kind contributions, use of the facility for a fundraiser.
J.P. candidate Pat Walker reported $485 worth of in-kind contributions and $7,588 in expenses. Louis De Canio didn’t report any donations and spent $1,880. Tom Britting lists a $500 contribution from Ray Cartwright of Las Vegas.
Fifth District Judge Kimberly Wanker listed $7,500 in contributions. Darrel Wanker andd T.L. Wanker, both of Hawkins, Tex. gave $2,500 apiece. Dr. Gunter contributed $1,000. The law firm of Kaempfer, Crowell, Renshaw and Fiorentino gave $500, Assistant Sheriff Marshall donated $500 and John Erdaq gave $500. Wanker lists in-kind contributions of $500 from Linda De Meo, $203 from Sydney Hatch and $175 from Lillian Donohue.
Her opponent in November, Nancy Lord, didn’t file a report with the Secretary of State as mandated by law.
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- Nevada State Assembly Candidate James Oscarson
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- Nye County Commissioner Gary Hollis
Excellent article by the Pahrump Valley Times. It shows who has the campaign money. Now, Mr. Oscarson is using those campaign funds to lie. In his political ad last Friday, he said that I haven’t voted in Nye County – that is a lie. I have voted in Nye County. I request a retraction of that statement. Also, when you look at Mr. Oscarson’s special interests’ contributors and the fact that he is employed as the Marketing Director and Ombudsman for the local Pahrump hospital, I have a question for Mr. Oscarson. How can you work on any health related legislature without having a conflict of interest? I on the other hand do not have an employer’s interests to advocate. I will respond and work for the voters of District 36.
Walt Grudzinski
Candidate for Nevada Assembly District 36
@Walt Grudzinski
Mr Grudzinski, You give me no choice but to address your dishonesty in the post you left above.
You have a lot of nerve calling James Oscarson a liar for bringing up the fact that you have never voted in Nye County. It’s absolutely TRUE and the voters should be aware of that fact in order to make an informed decision on Election Day. You haven’t voted here because you weren’t even living here during the last election cycle.
According to Nye County records, not only have you NEVER voted here, you only recently (within the last couple of years) moved to this state.
As a short timer who has never voted here, never worked here, and who has no record of local service, what makes you think you understand the needs and concerns of Nye County voters better than James Oscarson who has actually raised a family in this community?
James Oscarson is a long time resident of this county, a 30 year Nevada resident, and has worked, lived, and voted here for many years. He and his family have worked hard to help many community causes and local charities as well. You have a lot of nerve coming to this town and claiming that you know better than we do what is best for us, and then lying to gain political power besides. Then you have the nerve to request a retraction from James? For what, telling the truth? I think you better look in the mirror when you make that request.
We have already experienced what it’s like to elect someone with no history, and no past who claims to know better than anyone else what’s best for the rest of us.
We’ve seen the consequences of blindly voting for someone we know nothing about who knows better than we do what’s best for the little people. I don’t think we want to re-visit that nightmare…Been there done that!
I’ll be calling you the “Hope and Change” candidate from now on because besides your dishonesty and desperation for power, that’s all you have to offer voters of Pahrump, Nye County, and District 36.
Your desperation is showing Walt, I know you have a high opinion of yourself, but thanks anyway, I’ll vote for the honest local candidate over a power hungry carpetbagger any day.
We’re not a fancy town, but we’re not stupid either. I would recommend that you concede defeat now and stop embarrassing yourself.
Brian K. Shoemake
Pahrump Resident
This issue of whether Grudzinski voted or not is an important one I think. Either;
1. He was lawfully registered to vote, and did vote.
2. Was not lawfully registered to vote, and comitted voter fraud by voting.
3. Is telling an outright lie by saying he voted when he did not.
I stress the word “lawfully” above because it is possible to be “unlawfully registered” by lying when registering.
I don’t have a dog in this fight. I just want to know what the truth is. All I know is that one of the contributors (above) is either wrong, oy lying.
Over-The-Hump just wants the truth. I have a copy of the Nye County voting records that indicate that Walt has not voted in any Nye County elections prior to this one (most voters would agree that voting in the last few days in this election cycle would not satisfy anyone’s criteria of being a long-time voter in this county). If you want further proof just go to the Nye County Clerk’s office and have them look it up for you. If Mr. Grudzinski believes the Clerk’s records are in error he should take that up with the Clerk rather than calling his opponent a liar. Walt, you are crawling pretty low on this one.
Richard Hatch
If Nancy Lord is an attorney then how comes she doesn’t know enough to file a report?
After Ron Kent loses, how long will it take him to take down his signs? And why is he so set on getting a government job? Why doesn’t he give it a rest and go work for a private law firm? How about the law firm that gave him money?
well she isn’t a very good attorney
At least I know who to vote for now. I figure if you are against them, they have to be good. I will be sure to check on the leftists and see how fast they pull their signs down as well.
And the rest of us can use the same logic that if your are for them, we will vote for the opposite and cancel out your vote.
Most try not to be single issue voters, when there are dozens of issues that need to be addressed. At least, I do.
You can look through these numbers and see who is serious about the races and who are “all hat but no cow” as they say in Texas. And you can see who expects a favorable nod in return if the candidate is successful.
Money equals media spending and the ability to get the word out. Once the ballots are counted, come back to this list and see who won and who didn’t have a chance.
It’s unfortunate that the thinking in our political society is “money equals media spending”, because that is one of the major reasons we have all the problems in the USA today. Money also pulls the strings of the candidate like a “puppet”.
By the way, the election is going on in Nevada and not Texas.
Walt – I’m a local voter who is “undecided”…. what is your response to the above posts regarding your voting record here?
Interesting article, and more importantly, interesting comments. I was a resident of Nevada for 18 years and have known James Oscarson for over 30 years. I can tell you that I have never known James to be a liar on any level. He is hard working man committed to community and friends. I would certainly vote for him if I were living in his district. Men of his quality and dedication are far and few between. I love Nevada and hope the people there make the right decision and vote for him in this election. You will not be sorry.
I was hoping Walt would respond to my, and cilla’s comments. It’s clear that some who posted have a dog in this fight, but I don’t, and it appears cilia doesn’t either.
Mudslinging always happens in a campaign, that’s the nature of politics. But when a candidate doesn’t refute an allegation, the rest of us are left to believe the allegation is true.
Sometimes silence is golden, other times it smells like a rotten egg.
Comments to Brian. You are wrong Brian and a liar as well. I have voted in Nye County. The article came out on June 1 and I had already voted on May 26th, go back and recheck the records. So the information in Brian’s attacks on me and in Mr. Oscarson’s political add are both lies.
As many folks in the area, I am a transplant. I have lived here two years, owned property for about 6 years and am definitely involved in the community. I chose Pahrump because of the people, the area and the quality of life; I intend to be involved to improve and retain those things that brought me here.
Celia/OverTheHump, I hope this answers your questions. In December 2011, I retired from a full-time job. I will be able to devote all my efforts to the Assembly District 36 job because I don’t have a conflict with a full-time job and employer. I am running on a platform of less government, less red-tape, no new taxes and no state income tax and maintenance of the quality of life in Pahrump and District 36. I support Yucca Mountain and do not support incorporation in Pahrump.
Walt – first, I’d like to thank you for your response…though I don’t understand exactly where you feel Brian is lying? It looks like you’ve admitted to every one of his point; at face value, it appears that Brian and Rich were both right.
I am glad to see some specific issues and your stand on them… but these all will “maintain the status quo”…. what, specifically would you do to IMPROVE/add to the quality of life in our district? “If you always do what has always been done, you will always get what you got”
After discussing both you and Mr. Oscarson as candidates, we have decided that we would be more comfortable electing someone who has lived and worked in our community for several years – someone who is fully aware of the culture, lifestyle, wants and needs of the community.
Walt’s last response is pathetic. To equate being a long-time resident and voter in Nye County by having voted just five days ago takes some imagination. Anyone want to pick at nits? Just a minute – I have to go vote so I can call someone a liar!! Who, me, a carpetbagger? Walt also states that he does not have any conflicts. In previous articles Walt stated that he still works part time in his government job. Does he now want a position so he can somehow help keep those government jobs for he and his friends? No conflict there…. By the way, if Walt is still working part time in his government job, doesn’t the Hatch Act preclude him from seeking a partisan office such as Nevada Assenblyman?
Walt
I think you need to get known a little bit more around town. Maybe join the Elks Lodge and attend some community events, volunteer at some charities, that sort of thing. Nye County is a very welcoming place, most of us come from someplace else. But if you come across like a bull in a china shop folks will turn you off like a light switch.
I do like your stance against incorporation, and for smaller government though.
Just one more thing, we are pretty much like country folk here. Not too sophisticated, but real down to earth. When you are a newcomer it’s best not to call the long time residents liars like you did in your first posting. It’s OK to call somebody “wrong” or “mistaken”, but the “L” word is usually followed by a fight around here.
Richard, you are pathetic. You and your spouse have been attacking me since April. I am a private contractor and consultant who works for private and public sectors. So no the Hatch Act no longer applies. But I do want to thank you, your spouse and Brian for the opportunity for this extra news media time. And as far as I am concerned this conversation is closed.
“And as far as I am concerned this conversation is closed.” We agree. This board is for stating opinions…not arguing with someone else over theirs. And you’ve both had your 15 minutes.
PVT