Former legislator announces run for secretary of state

LAS VEGAS - Merle Berman, a three-term Nevada legislator and current member of the Nevada Ethics Commission, announced Monday she is seeking the office of secretary of state in the 2006 election.

"Having been involved in Nevada's political forum and a member of the ethics commission, I am well suited to serve Nevada in the oversight of the elections, business governance as well as securities and investments," Berman said in a written statement released Monday. "I look forward to the opportunity to serve Nevada again."

Berman, a Las Vegas real estate investor, was elected to the Nevada Assembly and served in three regular sessions of the Legislature from 1997 to 2001. During her tenure, she served on a number of committees including Commerce and Labor, Government Affairs, Health and Human Services and Constitutional Amendments.

"Nevada faces unique challenges given its rapid growth and an increasingly diverse community," she continued. "These challenges require dynamic leadership combined with the ability to achieve political consensus to meet the needs of our state. I believe my varied experiences have helped me develop the qualifications necessary to serve as an effective secretary of state."

Berman has also served on the board and as a member of many charitable and business organizations, including the Nevada Housing and Neighborhood Development, Southern Nevada Alzheimer's Association, Nevada Art Museum, Women's Development Center, Women's Health Connection, Nevada Cancer Council and the Biotech Committee.