Campaign finance reports filed on deadline in Nevada

Gov. Kenny Guinn, easily re-elected to a second term in November, met a Wednesday deadline by filing a report that shows he led all Nevada candidates in collecting more than $3 million in contributions.

The campaign finance report filed with the Secretary of State's Office also shows the Republican governor handed out big checks left and right to other GOP candidates -- and even bigger checks to his campaign strategists.

Guinn's report contrasted with one filed by the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, state Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas -- that showed him spending $30,249 in the final weeks of the 2003 campaign and ending up $858 in the hole. Neal hardly received any financial support from his own party.

Guinn's expenditures at the close of the campaign included big donations to several legislative hopefuls, including $10,000 to state Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, and $5,000 to state Sen.-elect Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas.

Other expenditures included $70,000 to strategist Pete Ernaut, $75,000 to Rogich Communications, and $50,000 to OIZ Advertising.

Guinn's report also showed he closed the election year with $701,417 left over.

Reports filed on deadline from other successful statewide elective candidates included one from Justice Bill Maupin showing he began the final months of the 2002 election year with $42,655 in cash on hand, got another $20,225 in contributions, and spent down the total to wind up with $18,760 in cash on hand following the election.

State Treasurer Brian Krolicki started the months with $43,520, got another $17,200, and spent that total down to end the year with a balance of $32,241.

State Controller Kathy Augustine started with $46,276, got $14,600 in late contributions, and wound up with $18,734 left over at the end of December.

Washington reported starting the final reporting period with $5,546, getting $65,545 in late contributions -- and spending so much that he was $3,634 in the red as the campaign season ended.

Washington's race was a key one in the battle for control of the state Senate, where Republicans now have a 18-8 margin.

Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, reported $41,778 at the start of the final reporting period in October. He got another $17,650 in contributions and wound up with $39,265 at the end of the year.

Amodei's expenses showed he gave money to several other legislative candidates, including Sen. Washington and Sen.-elect Sandra Tiffany who got $1,000 each.