Catherine Cortez Masto

Candidate for: Attorney General of Nevada
Election Date: November 7, 2006

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The Candidate

Catherine Cortez Masto, 42, is running for Attorney General of Nevada. Masto has served a several top level legal and political positions, devoting much of her professional career to public service. She has experiences ranging from her role as an Assistant County Manager to Federal prosecutor to Chief of Staff for a former Governor. Already having made an impact at the highest levels of electoral politics and the legal profession, Cortez Masto is one of the nation's most highly qualified state Attorney General candidates.

A native Nevadan, Cortez Masto graduated from UNLV and earned her law degree from Gonzaga, after which she returned home and became an attorney. In 1995, she joined the staff of Democratic Attorney General Bob Miller, eventually assuming the title of Chief of Staff in 1998. After leaving the Attorney General's office, Cortez Masto became an Assistant U.S. Attorney for Washington, DC, though she quickly returned home to become Assistant Manager for Clark County in January 2002, a position she left in 2005 to concentrate on her bid for Attorney General.

Masto is the daughter of the late Manny Cortez, a former Clark County Commissioner and President of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Cortez Masto is married to Paul Masto, a Special Agent for the U.S. Secret Service.

Methamphetamine and Identification Theft have been the two largest issues during this race. However, although these and many other significant public issues are emphasized by both candidates, the Attorney General's office itself has serious problems that must be addressed. Cortez Masto recognizes the harm from large staff turnover at the Attorney General's office and she is well-suited to reverse these trends and retain top talent. Indeed, the U.S. Attorney's Office recognized her for her track record training and mentoring others.

Methamphetamine: Of the 50 states, Nevada ranks highest in first-time methamphetamine usage. The state's next Attorney General will have to work hard to crack down further on the manufacture, trade and usage of this drug. Cortez Masto will work to develop a statewide strategy, possibly including assistance to local authorities in prosecuting cases, securing additional funding to tackle this issue and improving coordination and collaboration with the federal government. Most importantly, Cortez Masto understands the importance of focused leadership on the issue, recently remarking "I think what I can do is bring a single voice to it, working with the community.

Identity Theft: Also, Nevada ranks second in the nation in instances of identity theft. Both Cortez Masto and her Republican opponent Don Chairez will spend the next several days trying to convey to voters that they are serious about curbing this trend and will work harder to prosecute identity theft crimes. Cortez Masto recognizes that with the federal government refusing to prosecute identity theft cases with less than $10,000, it is essential for Nevadans and Nevada businesses that state become more active in pursuing smaller cases.

Eminent Domain: Chairez is the head of the PISTOL (People's Initiative to Stop the Taking of Our Land) ballot initiative which is a response to a perceived governmental trend of expansively using eminent domain as manifested through Kelo v. New London. While a judge, Chairez had made prior decisions which affirmed the rights of property owners over bids for eminent domain. It is possible that Chairez could get a boost from the ballot question. Cortez Masto is against the proposal. While agreeing that the initiative has the right issue in mind, she worries that passage of the initiative would present serious questions as to the future of highway funding in the state.

The Race

Cortez Masto's Republican challenger, Don Chairez earned his law degree from the University of Southern California. He came to Nevada in 1989 after becoming Deputy District Attorney for Washoe County and moved on to hold the same title in Clark County. In 1994, he was appointed Clark County District Court Judge by then Governor Bob Miller. Chairez was elected for the position outright in 1996 and resigned in 1998 to run for Congress, falling short of election by 3 points despite running in a district with 42,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans. In 2002, he lost a race for the Nevada Supreme Court. Chairez is a latecomer to the Attorney General's race after incumbent George Chanos (R) belatedly declined to seek re-election.

Since beginning her candidacy in 2005, Cortez Masto has built a reputation for her tireless efforts to rally support among the grassroots and secure endorsements highlighting for voters the breadth of her support and the respect that law enforcement officials have for her. To date, numerous significant fire, police, and prosecutor's organizations have officially endorsed her, Unsurprisingly, Cortez Masto has been able to secure support from many who have historically supported Republicans and she now holds a commanding fundraising advantage over Don Chairez. Yet ads introducing Cortez Masto and educating voters on her positions have only appeared recently and a substantial portion of the electorate remains undecideds.

Why CNM Supports Catherine Cortez Masto

Despite having a reputation as a swing state, Nevada's government is largely controlled by Republicans. In 2006, the GOP held all six statewide executive offices. The legislature is split, with Democrats holding 26 of 42 seats in the Assembly, and Republicans holding 12 of the 21 state Senate seats. Republicans also hold one of Nevada's U.S. Senate seats and two of three Congressional Districts. And while George W. Bush won Nevada in 2000 and 2004, his margin was whittled down from 5 percent to 2 percent in the most recent election, suggesting that Democrats may have opportunity to grow in Nevada. With candidates like Ross Miller for Secretary of State and Cortez Masto for Attorney General, November may return Democrats to statewide executive office.

CNM believes that Cortez Masto represents the best of the balanced Democratic approach to law enforcement and public safety. An exceptionally dedicated public servant, Cortez Masto's ideas and leadership will unambiguously enhance the lives of Nevadans while she is Attorney General and beyond.

Support Catherine Cortez Masto for Attorney General of Nevada

CNM is proud to endorse Catherine Cortez Masto for Attorney General of Nevada. We encourage you to give her your support.

Attn: Michael Fertik

Campaign for National Majority
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