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Wednesday, April 19, 2006

NV-Sen: LV Mayor Oscar Goodman (D) Won't Run

Posted by DavidNYC

From the Las Vegas Review-Journal, via Sarah R. Carter:

Mayor Oscar Goodman said he will not seek the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, ending years of speculation among political insiders about the popular mayor's future.

"I love Las Vegas, I love being mayor of Las Vegas," Goodman said in an interview Wednesday with the Review-Journal. "I have a lot on my plate, I want to see it come to fruition, and I can only do that at home."

Sarah notes:

This means that Carter is the only Democrat who is likely to run. The filing deadline is May 19, and no other Democrats have expressed interest.

I like Jack Carter, but unfortunately, this seat is an exceptionally tough nut to crack - and not just because John Ensign is swamping Carter in the polls. In small states, the major players from opposing parties can often have too-cozy relationships. This was the case for many years with Joe Biden and William Roth in Delaware, for example - and it seems like it's happening in NV, too. All I can say is that I hope I'm wrong about this.

Posted at 09:00 PM in 2006 Elections - Senate, Nevada | Technorati

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Comments

I keep saying that Ensign SHOULD be vulnerable because of the changing demographics of Nevada and the fact that Ensign had no success in keeping the Republicans out of Yucca Mountain, even though he assured voters in his 2000 campaign that he was the guy to convince his colleagues to stand down. Nonetheless, the poll showing for Ensign was nothing short of disastrous. I still think a victory is in reach here, but what I fear is a self-fulfilling prophesy of defeat where the DSCC holds back party money and keeps Carter mired in the shadows.

We have to hope for some more favorable polls in the months ahead to compel additional interest in this race. Few are taking it seriously now, and will continue not to if some improvement isn't seen from last month's poll numbers.

Posted by: Mark at April 19, 2006 09:54 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Another poll done that same week put Ensign with just 49% (you can find the numbers at the Las Vegas Gleaner). I don't know what the deal is, but with Ensign's approval ratings hovering near 50%, I find that poll putting him at 60% hard to believe. I guess we'll find out.

Sarah

Posted by: Sarah R Carter at April 19, 2006 10:08 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Sarah, I was skeptical of that last poll as well. Not only was Ensign's poll number substantially higher than his approval rating, but Jim Gibbons' numbers seemed inflated as well. Hopefully, different pollsters come up with numbers that boost everybody's spirits a little. In the meantime, keep up the fight for your dad in Nevada!

Posted by: Mark at April 19, 2006 11:27 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment