Seven vie to replace Leavitt

Friday, Feb. 20, 2004 | 10:15 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Seven people -- six of them from Clark County -- have applied to succeed the late Justice Myron Leavitt on the Nevada Supreme Court.

Three of the candidates -- District Judge Michael Douglas, 55; Justice of the Peace Douglas E. Smith, 52; and former state Sen. Don Ashworth, 66 -- have already announced they intend to run for the position.

The others from Southern Nevada are former District Judge Don Chairez, 48, of Henderson; and attorneys Gregory Smith, 57, and Richard A. Prato, 53, both of Las Vegas. Chairez was an unsuccessful candidate for the court in the last general election.

The only candidate from Northern Nevada is attorney David Hamilton, 61, of Reno.

The state Commission on Judicial Selection will interview the candidates the week of March 15 in Carson City and nominate three names to Gov. Kenny Guinn, who will make the final selection.

The candidate chosen will serve until January 2005 but would have to win election in the fall to keep the position beyond that.

Chief Justice Miriam Shearing, who chairs the selection commission, said each applicant has submitted a 52-question application dealing with their education, law practice, business involvement, community involvement, professional and personal conduct and health.

She said the three finalists will be chosen based on the applications, letters of reference, written public comments and responses to questions during the interview before the seven-member selection committee.

Shearing said the public may submit comments about the applicants to Commission Secretary Ron Titus, Administrative Office of the Courts, Supreme Court Building, 201 S. Carson St., Suite 250, Carson City NV 89701, before March 5.

All comments will be held confidential.