Election Guide News, voter information MARK WAITE / PVT Jill Derby speaks to Democratic Party faithful at K-7 Pizza recently. Advertisement

A whirlwind of political activity will be sweeping through Pahrump in the next few weeks leading up to the Nov. 4 election.

Among the more significant events, Kelsey Grammer, star of the television series "Cheers" as well as "Frasier," will appear at Nye County Republican Party headquarters at 1330 S. Highway 160 at 10 a.m. today to stump for Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

He will be the second Hollywood star to visit Pahrump this year. In January, actress Madeleine Stowe stopped by a meeting of the Democratic Party Central Committee while campaigning for Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards.

In other appearances on the campaign trail, Jill Derby, Democratic candidate for the second congressional seat now held by U.S. Rep. Dean Heller, will appear at the United Way Oktoberfest at 3 p.m. at Honeysuckle Park.

It's Derby's second appearance in Pahrump in less than a month. She was in town for the annual Pahrump Fall Festival Sept. 27. Derby's visit is part of "Jill's Asking Tour."

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is not up for re-election this year, but he will be hosting a town hall energy meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Bob Ruud Community Center to discuss Nye County's role in proposed renewable energy projects and the investment tax credits recently signed into law by President Bush.

The public should have abundant opportunities to meet the candidates running in the Nov. 4 general election in the coming weeks. Various candidate forums are scheduled Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week in Pahrump.

The Pahrump Republican Women will host a candidates forum at the Pahrump Nugget Hotel and Gambling Hall banquet room at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15.

A candidates night is also scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Artesia Community Center, 6601 S. Fox Blvd.

The Democratic Party of Nye County is hosting yet a third meet the candidates night at the Pahrump Nugget at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17.

Gov. Jim Gibbons is also not up for relection this year, but he will appear at a Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce luncheon at noon Monday, Oct. 20, at the Pahrump Nugget. It will be his second recent appearance here as well.

The Pahrump Valley Rotary Club will sponsor a debate at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Pahrump Nugget.

Many local candidates are hosting or appearing at a variety of meet-and-greets during the next several weeks.