Other races: Porter, Titus set for November contest

By Brian Eckhouse (contact)

Published Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 | 8:42 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 | 10:19 p.m.

Here's a roundup of other southern Nevada races:

Sitting Family Court Judge Nicholas Anthony Del Vecchio, who was accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of power by the Nevada Judicial Committee's special prosecutor, is likely to be ousted. With 81.4 percent of the precincts reporting, Vincent Ochoa leads with 32.3 percent of the vote, followed closely by Cynthia Giuliani at 31.3 percent. Del Vecchio sits third with 23.2 percent. Ellen Bezian is a distant fourth with 13.2 percent.

The highly anticipated race of Congressman Jon Porter against state Sen. Dina Titus is on. Both clobbered upstarts Tuesday for the Republican and Democratic nomination, respectively. Titus appears to be the toughest Democratic challenger yet for Porter.

"Dina Titus and I have served together in the Nevada Legislature and I'm looking forward to a spirited campaign," Porter said Tuesday night at a Republican watch party in Las Vegas.

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, who appears in no danger of losing her seat, will represent the Democratic Party, easily besting her opponent. Republican Kenneth Wegner held a big lead for that party's nomination among the seven candidates, with 34.6 percent of the vote thus far. About 82.1 percentage of the precincts are reporting.

David Parks, who is vacating his Assembly seat, appears a safe bet to represent the Democratic nomination in the race for Titus’ Senate seat. Parks faced what appeared to be a decent challenge from mysterious upstart Steve Nathan, but he has all but wrapped up the nomination. Parks has 71.5 percent of the vote to Nathan's 15.7 percent, with 86.4 percent of the precincts reporting.

Parks could face Lindsay Nicole Madsen for Senate District 7A in what should be a slam-dunk for the Democrat. This is considered a safe Democratic seat. Madsen has 46.1 percent of the vote, with 86.4 percent of the precincts reporting. She leads Lou Toomin, who has 36.4 percent, and Robert Zavala with 17.6.

Senate Minority Leader Steven Horsford, a North Las Vegas Democrat, is coasting to the party's nomination. He has 64.4 percent of the vote with 78.2 percent of the precincts reporting.

County Commissioner Tom Collins, a Democrat, will win his party’s nomination for the District B seat. He has 76.6 percent of the vote with 75.9 percent of the precincts reporting.

Sun reporter Melissa Arseniuk contributed to this story.