Krolicki survives Woollen attack campaign in GOP lieutenant governor primary

Outgoing Treasurer Brian Krolicki survived a high-priced campaign of attack ads by Las Vegas businesswoman Barbara Lee Woollen to move on to the general election for lieutenant governor.

Krolicki said he was "absolutely delighted with the win," after Tuesday's primary election. He praised the ability of Nevada voters to see through to the real issues in his race.

Woollen focused her campaign on promises to stop illegal immigration despite the fact officials from all sides said the Nevada lieutenant governor's office has no control over that issue, which is under the federal Department of Homeland Security.

She accused Krolicki of giving Millennium Scholarships to illegals, of bankrupting that program among other things, spending about $1 million of her own money on the campaign.

Krolicki responded with an ad tying a company Woollen owns to production of pornography, which, Woolen said, was dishonest.

There were several other Republicans in the primary as well including former lieutenant governor Lonnie Hammargren and Janet Moncrief, who was recalled from her Las Vegas City Council seat.

Contacted Tuesday night, Krolicki said it was time to get back to the real issues facing the lieutenant governor, who presides over the Nevada Senate and sits as chairman of the Commissions on Tourism and Economic Development. He said he will return to the challenges of bringing quality economic development to the state and supporting the tourism industry.

In the Democratic primary for the office, Bob Unger of Las Vegas appeared headed for victory over former Economic Development Director Bob Goodman and Las Vegas casino owner Bob Stupak.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.