Ashworth to run for high court

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004 | 9:46 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Don Ashworth, a former state senator and probate commissioner for District Court in Clark County for the past 13 years, has announced he will run for the Nevada Supreme Court.

Ashworth, who practiced law in Clark County prior to being named probate commissioner, said he will challenge Chief Justice Deborah Agosti. He said he is getting into the race because of the "Guinn decision."

He was referring to the ruling, written by Agosti, that said the Legislature could bypass the constitutional two-thirds vote requirement to raise taxes to fund education. Gov. Kenny Guinn had filed suit seeking to force the Legislature to enact his budget.

The court's decision is now being challenged in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ashworth was admitted to practice law in Nevada in 1969 and worked in the public defender's office in 1970. He served in the state Senate from 1978 to 1982.

Born in Pioche and raised in Las Vegas, he said he today intends to visit every county in the state in his campaign.

Agosti of Reno has said she intends to run for re-election in the non-partisan race. Others who have announced entry into the race are Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Douglas Smith and Lake Tahoe attorney John Mason, a former chairman of the Nevada Republican Party.

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