Berkley Officially Launches Re-Election Bid

Berkley Officially Launches Re-Election Bid

Taking the stage after a nine-piece lounge band's set, backed by a twinkling curtain of artificial stars, Rep. Shelley Berkley launched her re-election bid Wednesday night.

Berkley, a Democrat, filed her paperwork for candidacy nearly two months ago but didn't officially kick off her campaign until Wednesday's festive event at North Las Vegas' Cannery hotel-casino.
Advertisement

Speaking briefly to the crowd of stalwart supporters, Berkley predicted Democratic success in November's midterm elections.

"This is going to be a wonderful year," she said. "I think we have a very good chance of bringing some balance back to the U.S. government."

Berkley faces one other Democrat, the unknown Asimo Sondra "Silver" Lawlor, in the Aug. 15 primary. A victory there will pit her in November against the winner of the three-way Republican primary as well as a Libertarian, an Independent American and a member of the Reform Party.

Berkley is seen as a nearly unbeatable favorite to win a fifth term representing Nevada's first congressional district, which encompasses most urban areas of Clark County. The district is overwhelmingly Democratic, with 37,000 more registered Democrats than registered Republicans.

The 55-year-old congresswoman, nearly as renowned for her flamboyant personal style -- she has discussed her cosmetic surgery publicly -- as for her liberal views, said she was optimistic about her campaign.

"This community has been very supportive of my service in Washington," Berkley said. "They're happy with me."

She cited her work to bring a veterans' hospital to Southern Nevada and federal dollars for transportation projects as accomplishments of her recent term, as well as her continuing fight against Yucca Mountain and her expertise in Middle East affairs.

Asked what voters could expect from another Berkley term, she said, "More of the same," adding, "There isn't anybody who fights harder for her community than I do."

Berkley said she believes Democrats can take back control of the U.S. House of Representatives, which has had a Republican majority since 1994.

National political commentators say a Democratic takeover will be difficult but not impossible if the party succeeds in capitalizing on disenchantment with the Republican Party. The Democrats need to win 15 more seats in the 435-person body to earn a majority.

She said people will vote for Democratic candidates because the Republicans have let them down.

"Do Americans feel more secure than they did four years ago?" she said. "I do not feel more secure. I think we have squandered the good will of the international community and billions of dollars and we still have poor homeland security."

http://berkleyforcongress.com/page_w.php?section=6&id=744