Nevada Rivals for House Seat Lead Primaries
Congressional candidates Rep. Barbara Vucanovich and Pete Sferrazza took early leads, as anticipated, in their respective primaries Tuesday and focused their sights on each other for a rematch of their 1986 general election showdown.
Sferrazza, who has been Reno’s mayor for nine years, was leading political newcomer Jerry Maldonado of Sparks in the Democratic primary by nearly a 2-1 margin in early tallies.
Vucanovich, a five-term veteran in Congress, outdistanced her closest opponent in the Republican primary, Don Hensley of Laughlin, by more than 5 to 1.
While Sferrazza, 46, denied that he took his primary opponent for granted, he added: “Vucanovich is the incumbent, the person that needs to be beat. If people want change, then I would appreciate their support.”
Vucanovich, 71, said voters seeking change should steer clear of a Democrat.
“The Democrats have 102 votes (in Congress) more than we do,” she said. “They control every committee and what comes to the floor for a vote.”
The sprawling 2nd District covers 109,500 square miles and encompasses all but about 250 square miles surrounding Las Vegas.
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