Political parties spar over date of special U.S. House election

By Cy Ryan

Tuesday, June 7, 2011 | 11:23 a.m.

CARSON CITY – Nevada’s Republican Party told the Nevada Supreme Court that the Sept. 13 special election date for the U.S. House shouldn't be changed.

But the Democratic Party said there would be no "harm to any party, or to the public arising from the rescheduling of the special election" to permit the state Supreme Court time to review disputes between the political parties.

Gov. Brian Sandoval appointed then-Rep. Dean Heller to succeed then-Sen. John Ensign. The governor set Sept. 13 for the special election to replace Heller in the district that covers 16 of Nevada’s 17 counties and a small portion of Clark County.

The issue before the court is whether there should be a wide open field of candidates, as favored by Democrats, or a requirement that parties nominate their favorite candidate, as supported by Republicans.

Carson City District Judge Todd Russell ruled the major parties should choose their nominee, a decision that is on appeal to the Supreme Court. The court asked the parties to submit briefs on whether the election should be delayed to give justices more time to consider the issue.

The Republican Party, in a brief written by attorney Rew Goodenow, questioned whether the Supreme Court had the power to reschedule the election. It said the “most prudent course” would be to proceed without changing the date.

But Bradley S. Schrager, attorney for the Democrats, said if the court believes it needs additional time to consider the issues, it has the authority and it should reschedule the date.

There are 25 candidates who filed for the post.