Lawyer announces for Nevada Supreme Court seat

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Friday, Jan. 30, 2004 | 12:53 p.m.

CARSON CITY, Nev.- John Mason, an entertainment attorney and former head of the state Republican Party, formally announced Thursday what he stated in November - he's challenging Chief Justice Deborah Agosti for her Nevada Supreme Court seat.

Mason held news conferences in Las Vegas and Reno to make official his bid for a high court seat because of the court's decision last July to temporarily let lawmakers approve tax hikes without a mandatory two-thirds' supermajority.

"That ruling clearly undermined the constitutional guarantee that all political power is inherent in the people," Mason said at his Reno news conference.

Besides Agosti and Mason, the race is expected to attract Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Douglas Smith and Clark County Probate Commissioner Don Ashworth.

The high court's 6-1 decision was written by Agosti. Ultimately, a record $833 million tax plan passed last summer by a two-thirds' majority, but the ruling helped to break a deadlock over the tax plan.

Mason has said he has been cutting back on his law practice since early 2000, so he will be able to devote all his time to his campaign. His clients over the years have included Kenny Rogers, Olivia Newton-John, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Barry Manilow, Chris LeDoux, Sawyer Brown, Creedence Clearwater Revival and others.