Reno GOP Legislative Candidate Sued for “Carpetbagging”

(Andrew Barbano) – Washoe District Judge Patrick Flanagan has ordered legislative candidate Jason Guinasso into court to defend his eligibility.

One Frank Wright brought an affidavit to the D.A. alleging that the Reno attorney could not have lived in District 26 when he filed for the seat held by retiring incumbent Randy Kirner, R-Reno.

Wright’s statement contains building permit information and photos detailing substantial re-construction during the time that Mr. Guinasso swore under penalty of perjury that he began living in the southwest Reno/Incline Village bailiwick. Wright asserts that the home was uninhabitable.

The April 14 hearing is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. in Judge Flanagan’s Department 7 at 75 Court St. in Reno.

Last week, I informed all Barbwire Confidential subscribers upon learning about Flanagan’s April 7 order. Afterward, I posted breaking news bulletins at NevadaLabor.com and BallotBoxing.US but wasn’t able to take matters further because of computer problems. (Sometimes it pays to get on the priority list.)

DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN

Back when I managed campaigns, I got the second-youngest assemblyman in Nevada history – a union carpenter named Dale Goodman –  elected at age 23 over a similar carpetbagging issue. His District 26 GOP opponent was a slick lawyer who relocated when the incumbent retired. (In 1976, AD26 covered mostly Democratic southeast Reno.)

In today’s configuration, winning the GOP primary is tantamount to election in the now heavily Republican bastion. Guinasso’s opponent is TMCC law professor Lisa Krasner who lost to Kirner by 11 votes two years ago.

In recent times, several legislative campaigns have collapsed over residency challenges. Gomorrah South Democratic County Commissioner Lynette Boggs-McDonald got caught living outside her district and was forced to resign a few years back.

LITERAL CONSTRUCTIVE RESIDENCE

I’ve long been advised that “constructive residence” just means where someone “actually” resides, although the legalese in the current case implies some distinction.

Back in the mid-1970s, Las Vegas Democratic Assemblyman Bob Robinson ran for State Senate. Unfortunately, his new home in the senate district wasn’t ready.

So the good doctor got a camp stove and a sleeping bag and announced to the media that his actual and constructive residence would henceforth be in the fresh-air wood frame of his future dwelling. He won.

Andrew Barbano is a 47-year Nevadan and editor of NevadaLabor.com. E-mail <barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us> Barbwire by Barbano has originated in the Tribune since 1988.