• Carson Now on Facebook
  • Follow Carson Now on Twitter
  • Follow Carson Now by RSS
  • Follow Carson Now by Email

Assembly District 40: The epic campaign attack backfire?

"You see, in our two-party system, the Democrats are the party of no ideas and the Republicans are the party of bad ideas. It usually goes something like this. A Republican will stand up in Congress and say, "I've got a really bad idea." And a Democrat will immediately jump to his feet and declare, "And I can make it sh---ier." — comedian Lewis Black

I'm not sure I've seen a better close-up example of a campaign attack backfiring than I did last night in the Assembly District 40 race.

Robin Williamson seemed to be doing everything right to fill the seat held by fellow Democrat Bonnie Parnell. She was working very hard, walking the neighborhoods, working with both Democrats and Republicans to gather the coalition she needed to win in this GOP-leaning district.

And then the Nevada Democratic Party stepped in and screwed it up.

A series of slick, large postcards with the state party's name on them began showing up in Carson City mailboxes several weeks ago attacking Republican Pete Livermore for alleged misdeeds while serving as Carson City Supervisor. The charges were very old news, questioning the sale of his fast-food restaurant to the city in order to widen a street, and voting himself pay raises.

By the end, the attacks became comical. The last one accused Livermore of voting for a pay raise in order to buy "designer suits," and showed a closet full of suits with his face imprinted on the hangers.

Now, I don't want to accuse Livermore of being a bad dresser, but there's about as much chance of seeing Pete in a designer suit as there is of our macho-but-hobbled Gov. Jim Gibbons dancing down Carson Street for next years's Nevada Day Parade wearing a Speedo and ballet shoes.

I talked to Livermore about these attack pieces when they first came out, and he read me a two-page letter from a political opposition research firm out of Washington D.C. that made official records requests for a slew of documents from his time in public service. The requests seemed to fixate on Livermore's travel expenses, and who he was traveling with, as if looking for some elicit affair.

It was obviously a fishing expedition — and a bad one at that — by this out-of-town firm trying to dig up dirt any way they could. If they had taken the time to actually talk to some local Democrats, they would have learned that those kind of attacks might work in big markets back east, but not against a well-known public figure in a small city.

Local Democrats complained to state party chairman Sam Lieberman that these negative mailers were doing more harm to Williamson's campaign than good, and asked for them to stop. But they didn't. They kept coming and coming coming, like some politically destructive Energizer Bunny.

There is no absolute, concrete evidence that these mailers cost Williamson the race. But you'll be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks they helped her.

Livermore seems to believe they helped him win, despite being outspent by more than three to one.

I estimate that the state party spent close to $100,000 for these attack mailers and the opposition research firm that put them together. I think that if they would have spent half that amount on positive mailers extolling Williamson's experience and qualifications, she might be spending this morning cleaning out her city office and preparing to move to her new Legislative digs down the street.

In fact, perhaps if the state party had spent nothing, she might have found enough votes to pull out a win, and they could have used the money in other races.

Either way, the Nevada Democratic Party screwed this one up, badly, and flushed 100 grand down the drain. I know that Lieberman will be hit with some angry questions about this in the coming weeks.

So here is some advice for Lieberman: The next time you want to do opposition research, hire someone local who actually knows Nevada politics. There is no reason to outsource political work like this, especially when you get these kinds of results. Shop local, Sam.

Then again, the Republicans sure have to be loving the fact that their counterpart helped fund their pick-up of this important Assembly seat last night, and are hoping for an encore in 2012. Outsourcing is working great for them.

Top Stories

... or see all stories

Southern Utah is lucky to be gaining one of Carson High’s most extraordinary students, Arene LeBlanc. She is an outstanding student who has overcome so much from her freshman year and now consistently demonstrates exceptional academics, leadership skills and a commitment to community service.

Minden, NV – Douglas County is experiencing a temporary disruption in the non-emergency dispatch phone line. This disruption solely affects the non-emergency dispatch line and does not impact access to emergency services via 911. In the event of an emergency, residents are urged to continue dialing 911 for immediate assistance.

Looking for something for you kiddos to do this summer that includes exercise, fun, and team building? Look no further than the Carson Baseball Summer Camp!

In a systematic approach to improve water quality, Lyon County Utilities will be conducting water main flushing Tuesday and Wednesday, May 14-15 in the Rose Peak area (roughly between Flowery Avenue and Sheep Camp Road) in Dayton, Nev.

The 2nd annual Hot Air for Hope Balloon Festival is returning May 17-19 at Lampe Park in Gardnerville. This is a free community event that benefits the Center for Hope and Healing.

The wait is finally over. The second annual Mark Twain Days Festival returns to Carson City and Virginia City this weekend! Enjoy themed train rides, concerts, literature, book sales, kid's stories, and so much more all throughout the capital city and Virginia City.

Let's take a look at the full list of events for the weekend.

Each year, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office hosts an open house event as a way to connect families, deputies, non-profits and more. This year the event takes place Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nevada State Police has identified a Northern California man who died in a fatal crash last month on I-80 in Fernley.

Carson High School will host its First Annual Art Expo, showcasing the talents of its student artists in photography, graphic design, drawing, painting and ceramics Thursday, May 16, from 5-7 p.m.

A 40-year-old man was arrested Wednesday for suspicion of carrying a concealed knife without a permit, a gross misdemeanor offense, and misdemeanor disturbing the peace, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office booking report.

Hello fellow anglers. Depending on where you were for the opening day season, the waters were high on the rivers and some lakes still had not iced out yet. But yet the strangest thing about it was. There were about half of the expected anglers that ventured out. I noticed the campgrounds were only half full.

Check out the free Senior Health Fair from 8 am to 12 noon this Thursday, May 9 at Casino Fandango Grand Ballroom in Carson City.

More than 70 vendors, a record number, will share valuable information about their programs and services. Participate in raffle drawings, interact with service dogs, donate blood, and have quick access to important vaccines. Pick up our fifth edition of the Senior Celebration magazine and a Community Resource Guide.

Following a capacity community turnout in March, Grassroots Yoga Center is offering its second Self-Care Wellness Fair Saturday, May 18. The center is located at 195 E. Winnie Lane.

Students at Fritsch Elementary School in Carson City were swinging for success with their participation in the San Francisco Giants Junior Giants initiative. The free, non-competitive and innovative baseball program for boys and girls ages 5-13, focuses on education, health and bullying prevention, providing a holistic approach to community sports.

Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch's Pet of the Week is Valkerye, a one-year-old shepherd mix who still has a big puppy heart. She enjoys playing with children as she is used to living with them.

The Misfits Theater Group presents its 2024 Spring Production: Gold Casino or Bar Be Tender on the weekends of May 18-19 and May 24, 25 and 26, 2024.
Click on flyer for details.

Sierra Nevada ENT, a trusted provider of clinical and surgical care since 1995, is excited to announce its transition to Carson Tahoe Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), effective May 14, 2024. This expansion reflects our continued commitment to growth, innovation, a holistic care approach, and our dedication to delivering high-quality, state of the art patient-centered care to our community.

CONNECTIONS Gathering in May with special guest Mark Collie

CONNECTIONS Central announced that musician, actor, and philanthropist Mark Collie will be the guest storyteller at the May 16th CONNECTIONS gathering at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City. CONNECTIONS Central is a new organization that uses the power of storytelling to promote stronger, happier and healthier relationships that enrich lives and build community.

Food Bank of Northern Nevada is asking for the community’s support on Saturday, May 11 as it joins the National Association of Letter Carriers for the Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

Tickets are now on sale for the second annual Mane Event, a fundraiser for Between Horses and Humans, a youth-oriented nonprofit serving Douglas County and the Lake Tahoe area that teaches kids life skills through horsemanship. The Mane Event is Saturday, June 1, from 2-5 p.m. at Cowork Tahoe, 3079 Harrison Ave. in South Lake Tahoe.

CARSON CITY — In response to the ongoing Medicaid eligibility redetermination process that resumed in April 2023, Nevada Health Link is extending the Special Enrollment Period through November 30, 2024, for those who no longer qualify for Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

The call for country and Olympic team unity has Stephen Curry lacing up his basketball shoes for Paris and setting his golf clubs aside this July, foregoing his title defense at the American Century Championship, the celebrity golf tournament at Lake Tahoe.

A 36-year-old Yerington resident died, one person was injured and three escaped from a house fire Monday night in Yerington, according to the Lyon County Sheriff's Office.

Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around Carson City.

A gang fight at an apartment complex last month resulted in the arrest of 14 juveniles and adults, according to the Carson City Sheriff's Office.

Carson City Sheriff's Office Uniformed Reserves and Partnership Carson City collected approximately 410 pounds of prescription drugs in the Prescription Drug Take Back held last month in Carson City.

Mark Twain Days Festival returns this Friday through Sunday, May 10-12, with a bevy of events lined up for the second year of the festival, which is held in honor of Mark Twain, our region’s most famous writer.

Partnership Carson City has launched “Rediscovering Your Mental Health Series,” a five-week program aimed at promoting mental wellness during Mental Health Awareness Month this May. Each week, participants will have the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques to enhance their mental well-being and foster a healthy community.

The Battle Born Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution is a women's volunteer service organization, promoting Patriotism, Education, and Historic Preservation.

Photo courtesy of David and Gayle Woodruff

Carson City Historical Society hosts local authors and historians David and Gayle Woodruff, who will present a Chautauqua on "Snowshoe Thompson: Superhero of the Sierra" from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11 in the Carriage House behind the Foreman-Roberts Historic House located at 1207 Carson Street, Carson City, during Mark Twain Days.