ELECTION 2010: Abowd, Joiner bring in most campaign donations

Out of all the local races this election, the Ward 1 Board of Supervisors face-off between Karen Abowd and Rob Joiner has attracted the most financial contributions, according to the most recent round of campaign disclosure reports.

Since the first of the year, Abowd's campaign has taken in $25,924 and Joiner $13,650 - outpacing the other local races in Carson City.

The report released Thursday included donations given to the campaigns between May 28 and Oct. 21, which resulted in $13,210 for Abowd and $9,050 for Joiner.

Abowd's largest contributors were Laura Fitzsimmons, a Las Vegas attorney, and Paul Abowd, a long-time restaurateur and her father-in-law. Both gave $2,000.

Joiner's largest contribution came from the Nevada Board of Realtors, which gave him $2,500. He also received $500 from the Carrington Company, which owns the Carson Mall, and $500 from the Carson Builders PAC, associated with the Builders Association of Western Nevada.

Former state archivist Guy Rocha, who gave Abowd $500, said the primary issue for the Abowd-Joiner race, in his opinion, is the proposed $87 million Carson City Center Project, which includes the development of a library, retail and office space, a hotel, events center and parking garage on eight acres of land behind the Carson Nugget. Rocha also sits on the Citizens Advisory Board for the Carson City Center Project.

"With Karen this project can float all boats, for Rob this project will sink all boats," Rocha said, who said the project is needed to diversify Carson City's economy.

Rocha said the downtown project has become one of the more contentious issues in Carson City's history dating back to its founding more than a century ago.

"We'll get a clear idea on Nov. 2," Rocha said. "The voters will say what kind of future they want arguably for the next four years."

Linda Barnett, the general manager of Carson City's Hampton Inn, gave Joiner $200. She agreed the Ward 1 race could be decided by the candidates' position on the project.

"(Joiner) understands what has to happen in this town, he understands not spending other people's money without asking them," Barnett said, adding the project's developers have not convinced her it will prove to be a success for Carson City.

"This project will not bring tourists to our town, which is what we need to be focusing on," she said, adding, "And libraries do not do that."

Other races

Fundraising in the Ward 3 race between John McKenna and Day Williams did not reach the level of their counterparts in Ward 1.

McKenna took in $4,386 in the most recent cycle, bringing his total to $8,063. Williams brought in $1,801 from four donors this period for a total of $5,351 this election.

Both candidates received funds from the Carson City Republican Century Club, $357 going to Williams and $136 to McKenna. The Carson City Republican Women's Club gave both candidates $200, too.

Williams' largest contribution, $500, came from Sky High Sports LLC in Carson City. McKenna's largest contributors were the Carson Builders PAC and Edward Weninger, both giving $500.

As for the Carson City sheriff race, incumbent Kenny Furlong took in $3,915 this period for a total of $13,379 this election. Challenger Bob Guimont brought in $2,407 for a total of $11,157.

Guimont's largest donation came from Allan and Christine Fiegehen, who gave Guimont $1,000. Allan Fiegehen is the co-owner of the Cubix Corporation and the Ormsby House.

Furlong's largest contribution came from Ed Weninger, who gave $800 this period.

Assessor incumbent David Dawley brought in $2,808 for a total of $6,008 since Jan. 1. His opponent, Ian Mindling, has only reported a $200 donation from Bill and Jean Hay in March.

In the Carson City School Trustee District 1 race, Julie Bushner took in $323 for a total of $1,323 and her opponent Ron Swirczek brought in $1,425 for a total of $2,675.

At $1,000, his biggest contribution came from the Ormsby County Education Association while Bushner's largest donation of $200 came from the Carson City Republicans Women's Club.

In the School Board Trustee District 6 race, Randy Carlson brought in $4,197 for his campaign, more than half self-financed, while his opponent Barbara Myers reported no income for the entire cycle.