Even in losing, Walsh’s court campaign pays off

Erin Neff

Thursday, Oct. 7, 1999 | 11:24 a.m.

Public defender Jessie Walsh's spring campaign for the Municipal Court may have ended in official defeat, but it led to her appointment Tuesday for an opening on the bench.

Walsh, 41, a Clark County deputy public defender, was unanimously appointed to Municipal Court Department 6 to replace Judge Ron Parraguirre, who was recently appointed by Gov. Kenny Guinn to a seat on the District Court.

"I am ecstatic. I am thrilled," Walsh said in an interview after the appointment. "There are a lot of people in this community who knew how badly I wanted this position."

Her strong campaign, dominated by roadside signs and debate appearances, didn't just win over a large percentage of voters in the losing effort.

"I saw her everywhere I went on the campaign trail," Mayor Oscar Goodman said Wednesday when he nominated her for appointment from a slate of about 12 local attorneys vying for the position. "Every place I was, she was there."

Goodman said he was impressed with her "great sense of conviction" and "real concern for the rights of individuals."

Walsh lost an expensive and close race to local attorney Bert Brown for the Department 4 seat. Although she was outspent $262,209 to $144,644, she still drew 22,659 votes.

Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald said previously she thought the voters -- although not a part of the appointment process -- had spoken their support for Walsh on the bench.

During Wednesday's council meeting, Boggs McDonald said she also was pleased that Walsh had city, county and private practice experience.

Prior to her public defender job, Walsh spent three years in private practice and was a city prosecutor for two years.

"She's been experienced in both ends of the aisle," Boggs McDonald said.

Councilman Gary Reese said he thought seven or eight of the attorneys who contacted him with interest in the court vacancy were qualified.

There is no formal process involved in appointing Municipal Court judges. Prospective judges must simply be attorneys and reside within the city limits.

The salary for the position is $95,633.

Reese, too, met Walsh on the campaign trail and said "I was really impressed with her."

Walsh will be sworn in Oct. 20 in a 9 a.m. ceremony during the next council meeting.