Democrats attract "worthy foe" in NV-3

[mndemocrat_29]

Here's the article-http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2004/feb/20/516390976.html

So he has money, he's no dummy and he knows Nevada and Washington. Sounds like prime political material, does he not? Sounds like a perfect candidate for Congress, does he not? Sounds like a good Republican, does he not?

Well, he's not -- at least on the latter point. Tom Gallagher, former chairman of Park Place Entertainment (now Caesars Entertainment), is a Democrat. And he may be just the salve the ailing party needs in Congressional District Three, where no one else has been brave enough to challenge rookie GOP Rep. Jon Porter. Whether he is savior or sacrifice, Gallagher seems intent on moving forward with a bid against Porter in what could metamorphose from one of the least-watched districts in the country to one of the most closely followed.

"I've pretty much made up my mind I am going to run in the third district," Gallagher said in an interview last week. And that pretty much means the Republicans, who were counting on an easy time for Porter, will now have to vigorously defend a district that could hold the key to Democratic fortunes from the bottom (Assembly) to the top (president).

Congressional District Three is in danger of becoming a Democratic black hole after the last cycle, when the great promise of Dario Herrera's candidacy disappeared into a disastrous 37 percent showing against Porter. The congressman remains well liked, he now has a political base in that district and he hasn't made any spectacular rookie mistakes. He also has raised a significant sum -- more than $1 million, with more than half of that on hand -- putting him near the top of freshman incumbents.

[goobergunch]

1. This is a marginal district we ought to win.

We should have won it last time, but having a severely ethically challenged candidate in a Republican year is not a recipe for victory.

[dusty64]

2. Cool, we need every

win we can get.

[GOPBasher]

3. When is this election?

Is it this year or 2006?

[LimpingLib]

4. Every 2 years like all House races.

Gore narrowly won this seat too. 2 of the 3 Nevada seats went to Gore.