GENERAL ELECTION GUIDE: State Attorney General

TRAVIS BARRICK

Party: Republican

Phone number: (702) 351-7422 cell

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I believe that Nevadans are capable of electing a person that has the expertise and experience to enforce the laws of Nevada in a way that is fair for one and fair for all. That person is me. I have a Juris Doctorate degree from the University Of San Francisco School of Law, where I completed elective courses in, among others, administrative law, land use law, local government law and the federal courts. I have a master's degree in public administration from National University in San Diego, where I completed courses in organizational behavior, managerial economics and contract negotiations.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

At this point in time, illegal immigration presents a most interesting and pivotal legal issue. Nevada's historic growth market is predicated upon population growth and development. Thus, Nevada should continue to encourage legal immigration; however, the lack of comprehensive national immigration reform has put the states, particularly those in the Southwest, in the unenviable position of needing to address and expedite solutions for local concerns as the federal government works to resolve the issue nationally. Other pressing legal issues include water use and resources, health care, and the nuclear waste depository.

Why should voters choose you over other candidate?

As far as I can tell, the incumbent has never worked in the private sector. I believe her actions reveal an out-of-touch attitude towards the citizens and businesses of Nevada.

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CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO

Incumbent

Mailing Address: 8345 W. Sunset Rd., Ste. 250 Las Vegas, NV 89113

Phone number: 775-852-6053

Website: catherineforag.com

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

Catherine Cortez Masto is a native Nevadan and attended the University of Nevada, Reno, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in 1986 with a major in finance. She graduated cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law, in Spokane, Washington in 1990. Cortez Masto was admitted to the State Bar of Nevada in 1990, the U.S. District Court, District of Nevada in 1991 and the U.S. Court of Appeals, for the Ninth Circuit in 1994. Between June 1990 and August 1991, she served as a law clerk for Judge Michael J. Wendell in the Eighth Judicial District Court. In November of 1991 she became an associate attorney in the Las Vegas law firm of Raleigh, Hunt & McGarry, P.C. where she remained until September, 1995 practicing as a general civil litigator.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

As Nevada's attorney general, I have worked hard over the past several years to represent the people of this great state. I have done this by listening to their concerns, protecting their rights, advocating for their best interest and seeking justice when they are victimized. I intend to continue advocating for Nevadans for the next four years by running for a second term. I will continue to fight against methamphetamine use and other drugs of abuse, the exploitation of seniors and children, and scam artists who prey on our citizens. I will continue to actively prosecute those who violate the public trust.

As our attorney general I have aggressively prosecuted scam artists who are preying on our citizens who are at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. In addition, as part of the foreclosure task force, my office has worked with both banks and homeowners to help create programs to keep Nevadans in their homes.

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JOEL F. HANSEN

Party: Independent American

Mailing Address: 1835 Village Center Circle, LV, NV 89134

Telephone: 702-385 5533

E-mail: joelh@hrnvlaw.com

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I was born and raised in Sparks, and I have been a successful practicing attorney in Las Vegas ever since receiving my law degree in 1978, having graduated with honors, so I am very familiar with both ends of the state. I have successfully litigated numerous jury trials and appeared many times before the Nevada Supreme Court, often representing citizen tax limiting and similar petitions. I have extensive civil and criminal law experience. I was named a member of the Bar Register of Pre-eminent Attorneys in America in 2000. With 32 years of lawyering under my belt, I have more legal experience than both of my opponents combined. And I have long administrative experience, running my own law practices, with private charitable organizations, and with the Boy Scouts of America. And I have actually litigated many cases with the Attorney General's office, so I am familiar with what the AG's office does.

I have made a life-long study of the U.S. Constitution and of the philosophy of the founding fathers of our nation. What we need to solve our current economic and political problems is to understand and live by those principles. I can and will do that.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

The incumbent refused to sue to stop Obamacare, and so violated her constitutional duties. By contrast, I filed a class action lawsuit against Obamacare, representing private citizens of Nevada. Obamacare violates 60 percent of our Bill of Rights and our right to privacy. As AG, I'll continue the fight against Obamacare. We need an Arizona style immigration law in Nevada. I'll promote it and defend it vigorously, and I'll file a claim against Washington for all of the money Nevada has expended giving free medical care and education to illegals.

Ohio's attorney general sued AIG for securities fraud and recovered $1 billion for Ohio investors. Meanwhile the incumbent was using her time pursuing trumped up criminal charges against State Treasurer Brian Kroliki, which were dismissed as groundless. Banks have been caught using false documents to foreclose on people's homes. I'll hold Wall Street and the banks accountable instead of abusing my powers as AG.

I'll defend Nevadan's right to keep and bear arms. I'll go after local laws which violate this right, like Clark County's handgun registration law. I'll vigorously prosecute child and senior abusers. I'll seek to recover for the state control over our public lands.

Why should voters choose you over other candidate?

Ms. Masto has defied the governor over the Obamacare issue. Nevada law says she must file suit when directed to do so by the governor. It also says it is a misdemeanor not to fulfill her legal duties. Her persecution and prosecution of Brian Kroliki (a political enemy of Harry Reid) was a blatant abuse of the powers of her office, and in so doing, she was too incompetent to properly allege the elements of any crime. Her handling of the Bob Loux affair where he gave himself and his cronies an unauthorized raise, yet she recommended that the state fund $20,000 in legal fees for him, shows her blatant political bias. I will not abuse the powers of my office like this. And my record proves my competence as an attorney. Mr. Barrick has only five years experience as an attorney. Thus he lacks the qualifications to be the attorney general. One of my colleagues called me the toughest attorney he'd ever faced. Voters know that the attorney general needs to be an experienced, tough, and successful attorney and administrator. My record shows that I am eminently qualified to be AG.