Open court seats lure several attorneys into political races

Kim Smith

Tuesday, May 16, 2000 | 11:28 a.m.

The valley's incumbent judges don't have anything to worry about come November, but those running for newly created judgeships will have plenty of competition.

Monday marked the filing deadline for those seeking to take the bench as a District Court judge or justice of the peace.

According to the Clark County Elections Department, incumbent District Judges Valorie Vega, Ron Parraguirre and Jim Mahan and Family Court Department H District Judge Art Ritchie failed to draw any opposition.

The same can be said of Las Vegas Township Justices of the Peace Debbie Lippis, Doug Smith and William Jansen, Boulder Township Justice of the Peace Victor Miller, Henderson Justice of the Peace Rodney Burr and North Las Vegas Department 2 Justice of the Peace Stephen Dahl.

However, the second Justice Court position in North Las Vegas drew three interested parties. Randall Pike, Mike Schaefer and Natalie Tyrrell all threw their hats into the ring.

There also are plenty of people willing to take over the newly created justice of the peace position for the Las Vegas Township. Six attorneys are vying for the new Department 8 spot: George Assad, Torris Brand, Ronald Dalrymple, Dale E. Haley, Tony Liker and Ann Zimmerman.

The chance to run for office without having to oppose an incumbent apparently looked good for a number of people who want to become a District Court judge.

There are 13 people vying for the three new Family Court positions created by the 1999 Legislature.

Paul V. Carelli III, Phil Beuth, Robert Kurth and Cheryl B. Moss are running for Department I. Lisa Brown, William Henderson, Chuck Hoskin, Thomas Kurtz and Gayle Nathan would all like to become the judge of Department J.

Those running for Department K are Nicholas Del Vecchio, Mathew Harter, Jack Howard and Beth Wachsman. Kim Smith

covers courts for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-2321 or by e-mail at kimberly@lasvegassun.com