State Sen. Beers queried about fundraiser

The Nevada Secretary of State's Office is asking state Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, whether he knew about a campaign contribution solicitation that might have violated state campaign finance laws.

The inquiry stems from a political consultant's e-mail last month seeking co-hosts for a Beers fundraiser scheduled for July 19. Legislators aren't allowed to solicit contributions or commitments of money in the 30 days following the end of the legislative session.

The e-mail, provided to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is dated June 25. The regular session of the 2007 Legislature ended on June 5. In the e-mail, consultant Robert Uithoven said he was looking for co-hosts to Beers' first re-election kick-off event, at a cost of $1,000 per host.

Beers said Friday he's confident that the secretary of state will concluded he didn't violate state election laws. He said he was told invitations to the event would be sent out after July 6, in line with state law.

Uithoven said he sent out many e-mails, but made it clear that contributions couldn't be made before July 6. He added that the "official" solicitation went out July 9. Uithoven, a consultant to the state Republican Party, also said he's not a paid employee or consultant of Beers' campaign, just "a supporter."

Those listed as co-hosts on the invitation include several top lobbyists and law firms, major corporations, business associations and Republican luminaries such as Sig Rogich and former Gov. Robert List. The main hosts of the event are Gov. Jim Gibbons, Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio and state Republican Party Chairwoman Sue Lowden and her husband, Paul.