LV Municipal Judge Kerns wins re-election over challenger Harter

Dan Kulin

Wednesday, April 6, 2005 | 9:35 a.m.

Las Vegas Municipal Judge Cedric Kerns was re-elected to a third term on Tuesday, as he received almost 60 percent of the votes, defeating frequent candidate Mat Harter.

"I'm happy. I wanted to win so I can continue my work with the domestic violence program and with habitual offenders," Kerns, 39, said.

Kerns received 8,761 votes, or 59.6 percent, in the race for the Department 5 seat, and Harter received 5,936 votes, or 40.4 percent, according to tallies released by the Clark County Election Department on Tuesday night.

During the campaign Kerns, who was first elected in 1997, touted his accomplishments and his endorsements from police groups. He has been the lead judge working with Metro Police on the Habitual Offender Prevention and Education program, known as HOPE, which gives some repeat offenders the chance for a suspended jail sentence if they agree to spend at least 90 days in a halfway house where they get counseling, employment assistance and treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.

Kerns held a significant fundraising edge heading in the election. According to the most recent campaign finance reports, Kerns raised $159,700 and spent $127,374, plus received free billboards.

Meanwhile, Harter, who was running for judge for a fifth time, raised and spent $44,549 on his campaign. All except $150 of Harter's money came from a loan he gave to his own campaign.

During the campaign, Harter criticized Kerns for taking campaign donations from strip clubs in past elections and for taking a pay raise last year. Harter had promised to give away the $11,000 raise if he was elected.

Kerns was critical of Harter for being sued for malpractice. The malpractice suit alleged Harter did not get a woman a fair settlement for one automobile accident she was involved in, and missed a deadline to file a lawsuit regarding another accident.

Harter, 38, was making his fifth run for judge. He did not return telephone messages seeking comment Tuesday night.

Nick Wallin, a 56-year-old semi-retired city resident, said he voted for Kerns in part because of his endorsements.

"The police support him and we support the police," Wallin said.

Both Harter and Kerns are Republicans.

The Kerns-Harter race was decided in the primary because Kerns received more than 50 percent of the vote.