Commission filling state Senate seats

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 | 10:58 a.m.

Clark County commissioners were scheduled this afternoon to appoint people to fill two vacant state Senate seats for the Legislature's upcoming special session.

Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, who represents District 8, is running for Clark County Commission, and Sen. Jon Porter, R-Henderson, is running for the new 3rd Congressional District seat.

Gov. Kenny Guinn called for a special session earlier this month to resolve the medical malpractice crisis that temporarily shut down University Medical Center's trauma center.

Commissioners will choose two candidates from a list of 12 applicants who met the criteria for replacements.

The applicants for Porter's seat are Kimberly Kirwin, a Bellagio room reservation supervisor; Michael Lasko, a civil engineer; Andrew Maline, Jr., a real estate broker; Christine Milburn, president of Operation Godspeed; Kawana Pohe, owner of the Hoover Dam Store; and Art Rader, a publicist and community activist.

The six candidates who applied for James' seat include John C. Brailsford, a family and marriage therapist; Ed Gobel, president of the Council of Nevada Veterans Organizations; Ralph Goldfreed, a resident who advocates a complete overhaul of the health care system; Mike Malone, a retired state senator and police officer; Jim Marsh, owner of Jim Marsh Chrysler-Jeep; and Jesse Paulk, who has acted on the Southern Nevada General Contractors Association's government affairs committee for 14 years.

Those chosen will represent their districts until the November general election.