More candidates file for county offices

A few more candidates filed for Nye County offices before the end of the filing period on Friday.

The race so far has two candidates in district 1. Four candidates each filed for commission districts 2 and 3, making them the two most crowded races.

On Wednesday, Nye County Republican Central Committee Vice Chairman Leo Blundo filed for district 3, where he will compete with Nye County Water District Governing Board Chairman Greg Dann, Pahrump resident Louie DeCanio and incumbent commissioner Donna Cox.

“As a commissioner, I am looking forward to serving our community, protecting our water and wells, developing infrastructure, and attracting businesses to Pahrump and Nye County,” Blundo said in a statement.

Blundo said district 3 represents the majority of businesses in Pahrump.

“I look forward to bringing a fresh perspective with my local community and business experience to the BoCC,” he said.

Pahrump Valley International Church pastor Ray Grant and Pahrump Town Board former member Amy Riches filed for district 2, where they will run against Pahrump Regional Planning Commission Chairman John Koenig and Pahrump resident David Lancaster.

Grant said his priorities include schools, infrastructure, country finances and water. He also said that he wants to “get rid of the red tape” in attracting new businesses to the town.

“We are at a time in the history of Pahrump and Nye County where we have not bounced back from the recession in a timely manner,” Grant said.

“I hope to attract more businesses to create more jobs in our community,” he said.

Riches said she wanted to give people the voice and added that she wasn’t happy with the way “anything is going” in Pahrump. Among those things, Riches named county finances, water and the Nye County Animal Shelter.

“The people know what they are getting with me,” she said. “I genuinely care about the people of Pahrump and they know it.”

Last week, Scott Mattox, an accountant and business owner from Amargosa Valley and incumbent commissioner Lorinda Wichman filed for district 1.

Nye County Clerk Sandra Merlino said the commission races will be “contentious.”

“We truly never know what to expect but most commission races are popular and usually have anywhere from 2 to 6 candidates,” she said.

Those who file with the Nye County clerk before the filing period closes will face off in a primary election on June 14. The winners will go into the general election on Nov. 8.

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com