Lyon Democrats split evenly; Storey's go for Obama

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama tied in delegates in Lyon County at the weekend Democratic convention, but Obama won twice as many delegates as Clinton in Storey County.

That means four delegates for Obama and two for Clinton in Nevada's smallest county.

At the smaller event Saturday at the Virginia City High School, a delegate supporting each candidate was given up to five minutes to speak on his or her behalf.

Deborah Loesch-Griffin spoke for Obama, mentioning his opposition to the Iraq War from the very beginning and his ability to provide hope and unity.

"He is the one candidate who can provide hope and bridge our cultural and political differences and unify the country," she said.

Cathylee James spoke on behalf of Clinton, saying she was already tested in difficult times against the "Republican attack machine."

"We need someone who can game the system better than the Republicans game it," she said.

In the larger convention Saturday at Silver Stage High School in Silver Springs, Lyon Democrats split their delegates 27-27.

Obama was the winner of the Storey County caucuses Jan. 19, while Clinton won in Lyon County.

Charlie Lawson, Lyon County Democratic Central Committee chairman, said things went smoothly for the most part.

"It went very well," he said. "We had close to 250 people show up."

He expressed frustration over the many people who still said they didn't understand the process.

"We had one person show up who said he was never notified of the caucuses or convention, but he managed to find us," he said. "He wanted to be seated as a delegate, and when we said he couldn't, he said he was disenfranchised and was going to join the Green Party."

Local issues were on the platforms of both conventions, along with equality, ending the war and other national issues.

Lyon County Democrats included language about water transfers from basin to basin, protection of the Walker River, transportation and infrastructure issues.

Storey County Democrats supported the V&T, improving drainage on Long Valley Creek and urged local governments to bring their land use planning into balance with known and identifiable water resources within their respective counties.

Lyon County's Republican convention will be held March 1 at Yerington High School and Storey County will hold the GOP convention March 15 at the Rainbow Bend Clubhouse in the north end of the county.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 881-7351.