State GOP backs Backus

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2000 | 10:14 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's Republican Party, in an unusual move, is pushing for the election of Ely attorney Gary Backus in the nonpartisan Nevada Supreme Court race.

The photo of Backus is displayed along with those of George Bush, Dick Cheney and Senate candidate John Ensign on mailers urging the recipient to vote Republican.

Political parties have for the most part shied away from nonpartisan races. But Ryan Erwin, executive director of the Republican Party, said Backus is a Republican and Supreme Court Justice Nancy Becker is a Democrat.

The secretary of state's office said there is no violation of campaign law by Backus appearing on the GOP poster.

Alan Rabkin, executive director of the Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics and Election Practices, said complaints filed with the committee are confidential until a decision is reached. He declined to say if any complaint had been lodged.

Backus ran far behind Becker in the three-way primary election.

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