Independent American Party files slate of 13 candidates

The Independent American Party has filed a slate of 13 candidates for offices ranging from U.S. Senate to Clark County commissioner.

Under Nevada law, minor parties are allowed to select candidates at a state convention and then file the list of certified candidates with the secretary of state. They do not have to open filing to all comers and hold primaries in contested races.

Janine Hansen, a member of the party, said the IAP is now Nevada's largest minor party with 17,500 registered members.

Its slate of candidates, selected April 29 in Tonopah, is led by Ernest Berghof, who is seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Richard Bryan.

She described Berghof as having potentially broad appeal to Democrats as a former "rank and file union man." He lives in Las Vegas.

Brothers Chris and Dan Hansen are running on the IAP ticket for Nevada's two House of Representatives posts. Dan Hansen is challenging Jim Gibbons. Christopher Hansen is challenging Democrat Shelley Berkley. Republican Jon Porter has also announced he will run in that district.

The other IAP candidates on the list are:

John Lusk of Las Vegas for State Senate District 5

Jess Howe of Las Vegas for State Senate District 6

Jonathan Hansen of Las Vegas for Assembly District 13

Peter J.H. Walker of Las Vegas for Assembly District 15

Mark Cordner of Las Vegas for Assembly District 20

Douglas Brozyna of Reno for Assembly District 25

Daniel Nightingale of Reno for Assembly District 26

Kenneth Bauer of Sparks for Assembly District 30

Daniel Lee of Reno for Assembly District 37

Joshua Hansen of Henderson for Clark County Commission District A