Derby files for Congress

James Settelmeyer, 35, filed Wednesday for the Assembly seat being vacated by Republican Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick.

He did so with the endorsement of Hettrick, who said Settelmeyer will make an excellent legislator.

A member of one of Douglas County's most prominent and historic families, Settelmeyer, a Republican, describes himself as a ranch manager and farmer.

While some other candidates have said they would rebate the projected revenue surplus state officials expect by year's end, he said the money could be better spent taking care of some future obligations which could cost Nevadans much more if left untended. He cited the growing obligation to district judges' retirement costs as well as the Public Employees Retirement System's unfunded debt. He said there is also a possible future unfunded mandate from the federal government for Medicare obligations.

"Pretty soon, that surplus doesn't seem that much," he said.

Hettrick also supported those causes arguing that they would just become much more expensive in the future if not dealt with now.

Jill Derby, a member of the Board of Regents for 18 years, also filed Wednesday as a Democrat for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Derby, of Minden, is the fifth candidate in that race, but the only Democrat thus far.

She said she can overcome the 10 percent registration advantage Republicans have in District 3 as other Democrats, including Harry Reid in his U.S. Senate race, Frankie Sue Del Papa in her race for Attorney General and Bob Miller in his run for governor and have done in the past.

She said people are fed up with current leadership in Washington, D.C.

"One of my frustrations, one of the reasons I'm running, is there is a sense people go back there in lock step behind a party, cozy up to special interests and forget about back home."

She said a fresh approach is needed, and she believes she can deliver for Nevadans.

Carson City Republican Sheila Ward, a former member of the Carson school board, filed Wednesday as well, seeking the Assembly District 40 seat held by Democrat Bonnie Parnell.

She said parents should have more choices in the education of their children, but that those choices should still be focused on academics.

She also said taxpayers need more say in how their tax dollars are spent.

Ward's entry in the race means a primary contest with anti-tax activist John Wagner.

The winner will face Parnell, who is regarded as a strong favorite even though a majority of voters in the capital are Republican.

Danny Tarkanian filed for secretary of state. He and Brian Scroggins, both Republicans, will face off in the primary.

Tarkanian said he supports much tougher campaign reporting requirements and limits on gifts to elected officials. He said he will soon reveal a 21-point plan on campaign reform including requiring candidates to post their contributions daily during the final month before an election.

He said if the surplus, projected as high as $500 million, materializes in the state treasury, he would urge lawmakers to roll back some of the taxes they raised in 2003 including higher fees charged by the secretary of state's office to corporations and businesses.

Ross Miller, son of former governor Bob Miller, filed in Las Vegas for secretary of state. A Democrat, he said he will fix loopholes in Nevada's corporate disclosure laws that enable unscrupulous individuals to hide their identities as corporate owners.

He said he will also work for tougher campaign reporting and fraud laws.

Nancy Saitta, a Clark County judge since 1996, filed for the Supreme Court seat currently occupied by Nancy Becker.

"It's time for us to get back to a fairly balanced justice system," she said. "The role I think the court plays in protecting its citizens has eroded rather dramatically."

She cited the vote which set aside the two-thirds majority requirement to raise taxes in 2003.

"I'm deeply concerned when a high court ignores the voter imposed amendment having to do with the increase in taxes," said Saitta, 55.

Kate Marshall, of Las Vegas, filed as a Democratic candidate for state treasurer.

Marshall, 46, said Treasurer Brian Krolicki has done a good job in the office and that she plans to expand and continue on such things as the Millennium Scholarship program.

She said she would also work on getting the state a better deal on credit-card fees. The state spends millions a year to cover credit-card payments to DMV and other state agencies.

Marshall said she was a senior deputy attorney general who specialized in analyzing financial markets, which gives her valuable experience to manage state investments handled by the treasurer's office.

Daniel Rosen, a Stateline musician, filed for the congressional seat being vacated by Republican Jim Gibbons.

Rosen, 57, said he will use computer software to create a system that allows voters in his district to decide how he votes on any given issue before Congress. An Independent, he said they will be able to vote by computer or phone on every issue important to them.

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