LAS VEGAS-The race to succeed Garn Mabey in Clark County's 2nd Assembly District is heating up, with two experienced politicians already building burgeoning campaigns.  Despite rumors of other candidacies, the institutional support Republican John Hambrick and Democrat Carlos Blumberg have received make them the likeliest candidates to face-off against each other in the fall.

Former Clark County Republican chair John Hambrick, who announced his intention to run last October, has garnered the support of much of Nevada's top Republican establishment including U.S. Sen. John Ensign, former Govs. Kenny Guinn and Robert List and more than half a dozen members of the state legislature. 

A retired Secret Service Agent, Hambrick, 62, has begun assembling a campaign team led by manager Nathan Emens.  Emens had previously worked as press secretary for the county party and has worked campaigns for state Sen. Bob Beers among others. 

In the next few days, Hambrick's campaign will be sending out a targeted mailer to approximately 4,000 people in the district, highlighting Ensign's endorsement.  Also in the works is the campaign's first piece of walk literature. 

On the Democratic side, attorney Carlos Blumberg, 33, has been recruited by Assembly Majority Leader John Oceguera to run for the seat a second time.  Blumberg, a graduate of UNLV and Tulane Law, had worked as a legislative aid for Sen. Harry Reid before starting his own practice in Las Vegas.

"This year is looking very good for Democrats," said Blumberg Friday.  "I think it's a remarkable opportunity for Democrats to win the seat, and since I did so well last time, I think it's a good opportunity for me to win."

Blumberg lost to Mabey in 2006 in a three-way race, 52 to 44 percent, but he believes the combination of a better voter registration picture, a presidential top-of-the-ticket race and the open seat status of the district will lead to a win for him this time around.  With resources left over from his previous attempt and help from the Democratic caucus, he has begun organizing for this new campaign and his lawn signs have already started to pop up in the west Las Vegas district.

"Carlos is a hard-worker and very bright," said Hambrick, regarding his likely competitor.  "I think with my experience, though, I have more to offer."