'Outsider,' 'good old boy' to make bids for Carson City mayor

CARSON CITY -- With filing just two weeks away, two candidates have announced their intention to run for mayor of the Silver State's capital city. Both Robert Crowell, a 62-year-old school board member, lawyer and lobbyist for Kummer, Kaempfer, Bonner, Renshaw & Ferrario, and Sean Lehmann, a 35-year-old podiatrist, plan to run on redeveloping downtown and improving public safety, but differ on the personality and experience it takes to do it.

"We've had the same two men as mayors here in Carson City for the last 20 years," said Lehman. "Bob Crowell isn't one of them, but he has been in elected positions and he's one of the insiders versus, I think, a lot of people want to see an outsider."

Lehmann proudly states his lack of political experience and points to Crowell's professional history as a reason for people not to vote for him.

"I think it would be fair to say that as a lobbyist, by definition he has lobbied for groups that have hired him, so he would have some outside attachments to him, whereas I come no strings attached," said Lehmann. "The biggest issue when people come down to voting for Carson City mayor is ‘do we want somebody who is more a politician or somebody who is a citizen?'"

Crowell, however, does not view his record as potentially damaging and laughs when asked about his "insider status."

"I'm a good old boy," said Crowell. "I'd like to think I'm good, I'm getting old, and I grew up in this town, so I'm a boy. In that context, I'm guilty."

"In my own view of politics, after being in it for a lot of years, I try to focus on issues rather than processes or what someone is or they aren't. I'm not going to point at anything as being insider or outsider. I think it's important to look at what you think is best for Carson City and how best you can build the coalitions to do it."

Crowell has already drawn words or support from across Nevada's diverse political landscape. Chuck Muth started a website to draft Crowell to run and Jon Ralston recently referred to him as "one of the best people I know in politics."

Neither candidate has begun fundraising or campaigning in earnest, although both have campaign Web sites operating. Current Mayor Marv Teixeira raised approximately $52,000 in his last bid.

Likely issues that will affect the race are plans to redevelop downtown and improve public safety. With the US 395 construction ongoing, both are interested in plans to alter Carson St. and plan for the future of downtown. Lehmann has proposed studying closing Carson St. to vehicular traffic, creating a pedestrian plaza and Crowell has been involved in groups to "envision" the future of downtown and wants to move those processes forward. He would also like to study the possibility of moving the library into the old federal building.

On public safety, both are concerned about the growth of methamphetamine abuse and crime in the city, problems which Lehmann connects to the presence of illegal immigrants. Crowell has been a member of several committees to address public safety issues, including the public safety citizens' committee and a committee to address methamphetamine abuse in the city.

Campaigning for the seat will probably kick off in the summer, with the Aug. 12 primary potentially decisive, especially if no other candidates jump into the race. Both Lehmann and Crowell are beginning to plan for the campaign and Crowell foresees a good race.

"I don't know him," said Crowell referring to Lehmann, "but I've heard through the grapevine that he's a runner and so am I."