Monday, May 19, 2003 | 10:54 a.m.
Bill Henderson
Age: 44.
Education: Bachelor's in arts in English literature from the State University of New York in 1981; juris doctorate from Washburn University in 1984.
Work experience: Private general practice with a strong focus on family cases. He also has worked as an alternate hearing master in Family Court dealing with child support and temporary protective orders.
Endorsements: Nevada chapter of the National Organization for Women; Clark County Democratic Party; Philippine Chamber of Commerce; Women's Democratic Club; Paradise Democratic Club; Chinese-American Professional Organization ; Young Filipino Professional Association; Central Labor Council.
Abbi Silver
Age: 38.
Education: Bachelor's of arts in political science from University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1986; juris doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law in 1989.
Work experience: Clerk for District Judge Earle W. White, Jr., 1989-90, before joining the Clark County District Attorney's office. Currently a chief deputy district attorney for the Special Victim's Unit, specializing in domestic violence, sexual assault,child and elderly abuse/neglect, aggravated stalking and homicide involving domestic violence.
Endorsements: Nevada Highway Patrol Association; Clark County School District Police Officer4s Association; Nevada Black Police Officers; Clark County District Attorney Investigators Association; Las Vegas Police Protective Association, Metro; Las Vegas Police Protective Association, Civilian Employees.
Both Abbi Silver and Bill Henderson tasted election defeat in last year's countywide elections. But come the June 3 municipal elections, one of them will experience victory.
Silver, who lost a fall bid for district attorney, and Henderson, who last year failed to win a Family Court post, outpolled five other candidates in April to become the final two in the race for Municipal Court Department 6.
Silver led the pack during the April 8 primary with 38.8 percent of the vote, followed by Henderson with 15.2 percent. Silver also has a considerable financial lead over Henderson, having raised $128,319 and spent $61,954 as of April 1. Henderson raised $12,250, including a loan from himself of $11,200.
"I am cautiously optimistic that I'm going to get the vote of the people," Silver said of her chances. "I'm looking forward to being elected on June 3."
Henderson recognizes that Silver has a considerable lead, but thinks he can still come out on top.
"I'm continuing to work very hard at grass-roots campaigning and going to events, where I don't see Abbi a lot," Henderson said. "Also, I remember the extremely malicious race she ran eight or nine months ago, and the public needs to ask themselves if a person who runs a race like that can shut it off like a switch and become an honorable public servant. I think the voters would say no."
Silver ran a contentious race for district attorney last year against David Roger in the Republican primary. Silver accused Roger of being in the pocket of strip club owners who helped bankroll his campaign. Roger denied the charge and went on to win the race.
Silver is a Las Vegas-area native who has been with the district attorney's office since 1990. She is currently the chief deputy district attorney assigned to the special victim's unit, which specializes in domestic violence, sexual assault, child and elderly abuse and neglect, aggravated stalking and homicide involving domestic violence. She has presided over a variety of high-profile cases, including stalking incidents involving casino mogul Steve Wynn and comedian Jerry Lewis.
"I'm looking forward to using my experience on the bench," Silver said. "Yes, I have had some high-profile cases, but on an everyday basis I work with the citizens in this community and I enjoy it."
The race and her extensive background as a prosecutor have had several people question Silver's run to be a municipal court judge, who would mainly deal with contested traffic tickets and other citations. Silver would take a pay cut for the job, which is a six-year term that pays $113,578 annually. Her job in the DA's office pays $124,155.
"I have always wanted to be a judge," Silver said. "When Stewart Bell stepped down as DA I decided to postpone that dream, but it never changed my goal and desire. I always knew I wanted to be a judge one day."
Bell left the DA's job and ran unopposed for an open district judge position last fall.
Henderson, however, says Silver's role as a prosecutor doesn't translate well into the role of a judge.
"Going from district attorney to judge is a diametrically opposite position," Henderson said. "If several years had lapsed, then it would be fine. But to suddenly shift and try to convince people she wants to be a municipal court judge, well it's not convincing. At least I've always run for judgeships."
Henderson ran unsuccessfully for Family Court in 2000, for Municipal Court Department 2 in 2001 and for Family Court Department L in last year.
Henderson grew up in New York and moved to Las Vegas in the mid-'80s. He has been practicing law here for 16 years and has served as an alternate hearing master in Family Court, dealing with child support and temporary protective orders.
"At this point in my career I feel my skills are better suited to resolving disputes," Henderson said. "I really do feel that I am the people's candidate because I've made my career representing working class people at very reasonable prices."
Political consultant Mark Benoit predicts Silver will come out on top, but he said Henderson could make a strong showing.
"He definitely needs to increase his fund-raising base," Benoit said. "But he's run so many times that he has name recognition, and perhaps it will help him. He's also been pounding the pavement, so you've got to think that has to count for something.
"People expect Silver to run away with this, but I don't necessarily think so."
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