Published: November 05, 2008 03:29 pm      

CLARK CO. COMMISSIONERS: Someone old, someone new

Incumbent, newcomer win Commissioners seats

The Clark County Commissioner’s race Tuesday saw a two-time incumbent hold onto his seat and a newcomer gain a seat. Democrat Ed Meyer kept the District 1 seat, and Democrat Les Young won the District 2 race.

Meyer, with 25,018 votes, or 55.7 percent, beat out Republican County Councilman Monty Snelling, who had 19,909 votes, or 44.3 percent.

“I’m glad it’s over and I appreciate everybody coming out,” Meyer said. “I think we ran a good campaign.”

Snelling also said he thought he had run a good campaign, but the “Obama factor” hurt his chances.

“I thought it would be a lot closer race,” Snelling said. “I kept every promise I made to the people, but they made their choice.

“The Obama factor played in strong, that would be my guess.”

Snelling also blamed negativity in the countdown to the election for his loss.

“The dirty politics that came into play was orchestrated to hurt the Republicans. But that’s life and we move on,” he said.

Meyer said he is happy to begin his third term as a commissioner, and said he wants to continue the good work that has been done so far.

“I want to continue to try to get a [county] planner and an airport manager,” he said. “I want to thank the people for a job well done. We’ve worked hard.”



District 2 Commissioners race

Les Young didn’t know what to make his win over County Councilman Jack Coffman for District 2 County Commissioner. Young, garnering 24,718 votes, or 56.5 percent, beat Coffman, who had 19,028 votes, or 43.5 percent.

“I don’t know what to think — it’s my first time in politics,” he said. “Somebody had to win and somebody had to lose, and I’m glad I won.

“It’s a Democratic county. I’m glad to be working with [Meyer] and [Commissioner Mike Moore]. We’ll form a team and work for the county.”

Republican Jack Coffman, who will continue to work on the county council for two more years, congratulated Young on the win.

“He ran a very good race,” he said. “I look forward to working with [Young] as a commissioner.”