State leaders show support for Supreme Court Justice Douglas

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004 | 11:06 a.m.

A bipartisan group of major Nevada political figures have thrown their weight behind Supreme Court Justice Michael Douglas after a recent poll showed him to be slightly behind opponent Joel Hansen in the race for seat F.

Led by campaign consultant Sig Rogich, Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev, former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and former Democratic governor Bob Miller endorsed Douglas on Monday.

The Nevada politicians agreed to endorse Douglas after a poll by the Las Vegas Review-Journal indicated that voters weren't aware of the differences between the two candidates, Rachel Wilkie of Rogich Communications Group said.

Guinn appointed Douglas, then the chief judge of Clark County District Court, to the Nevada Supreme Court in March after the death of Justice Myron Leavitt. Douglas was one of three candidates selected for Guinn's consideration by the state judicial committee.

"Hands down, Michael Douglas is the choice for Nevadans for this race," Guinn said. "He is one of the most experienced members of our judiciary whose knowledge of the law and integrity is above reproach."

Berkley said Douglas' appointment to the Nevada Supreme Court was "one of the best appointments Guinn has made" and that it wouldn't be "right for me to sit on the sidelines" and not endorse Douglas.

"He is a wonderful addition to the Supreme Court and he should continue his service," Berkley said. "He (Douglas) understands the constitution, appreciates the three branches of government, understands the responsibilities of a Supreme Court justice and he is the best possible choice for Supreme Court justice."

The bipartisan endorsement is also partly due to Hansen's affiliation with the Independent American Party, Wilkie said, a party known for its "highly controversial political agenda." Douglas is a Democrat.

"I think that everyone understands that this is a non-partisan seat, but obviously when you are interpreting state laws judges bring in their own views, including politics," Wilkie said.

The Review-Journal poll issued last week showed 58 percent of the 625 respondents were undecided between the two candidates. But 23 percent of those who gave a preference chose Hansen, compared with 19 percent who said they would vote for Douglas.

The poll by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research of Washington has a 4 percentage point margin of error. The poll was criticized last week after it said President Bush had a 10-point lead over Sen. John Kerry in the state.

Douglas said that the poll definitely showed him that he needs to do more in his campaign.

"I'm surprised in one fashion because of the large number of groups that endorsed me, but I'm not surprised in a different fashion, because name recognition, with the exception of Judge (Joseph) Bonaventure, isn't something we have as judges," Douglas said. "The case gets recognition, the judge doesn't."

Hansen, a Las Vegas attorney, ran unsuccessfully for attorney general twice and once for Clark County District attorney. As an Independent American Party member, Hansen has said he believes in the supremacy of the U.S. and state constitutions. He was not immediately reachable for comment.