Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: Local judicial endorsements

Lack of debate often makes it difficult for voters to make informed decisions

Voters will be asked to make selections in a handful of local judicial races for District Court, Family Court and Las Vegas Justice Court. Unlike more high-profile statewide or legislative contests, these campaigns generally operate below the radar screen because candidates too often avoid issue-oriented debate. This makes it difficult for voters to reach informed conclusions.

Nevertheless, these are important races and we hope our recommendations can provide some guidance.

In District Court Department 1, Judge Ken Cory is seeking election following his January appointment to the bench. He faces a challenge from attorney Bill Henderson. Judge Cory had been on the bench just a few months when the Review-Journal conducted its biennial judicial performance review in cooperation with the Clark County Bar Association, yet he received an adequacy score of 92, and 83 percent of attorneys said he should be retained. Those marks were much higher than many of his peers. Judge Cory spent two decades in private practice and had stints as an assistant U.S. attorney and federal public defender. We endorse Ken Cory in Department 1.

In Department 11, incumbent Elizabeth "Betsy" Gonzalez, appointed to the bench this summer, faces Mike Davidson. Depth of experience separates these two candidates. Prior to her appointment, Judge Gonzalez worked almost exclusively in complex civil litigation, while Mr. Davidson has worked in just about every area of law in Southern Nevada, including five years as an assistant district attorney. Mike Davidson is the best choice in Department 11.

Three seats in Family Court are on the ballot.

In Department D, 10-year incumbent Gerald Hardcastle faces attorney Elizabeth Halverson. Judge Hardcastle has been criticized for his gruff demeanor, but he makes no apologies. "I'm not there to be liked," he notes. He prefers a no-nonsense approach to a therapeutic one and has had a hand in promoting programs to keep kids in school and help them cope with divorce. His scores in the bar association/Review-Journal survey have improved markedly over the past few years, with 74 percent of those responding favoring his retention. We recommend Gerald Hardcastle for re-election.

In Department E, Judge Robert Lueck, first elected in 1998, faces attorney Sandra Pomrenze. Judge Lueck has 30 years of experience in family law and believes "alternative dispute resolutions" are important to help children deal with the pain of divorce. His judicial survey numbers have slid over the past two years, with just 53 percent of the responding attorneys favoring his retention. But Ms. Pomrenze, a 27-year attorney currently practicing labor law, has absolutely no experience in family law. We urge a vote for Robert Lueck.

In Department F, Judge Robert Gaston faces a challenge from attorney Stefany Miley. Judge Gaston, a former state lawmaker, has been on the bench for 12 years and brings great personal conviction to the court. However, he has been criticized in judicial performance reviews as showing favoritism toward women. And in a controversial 2000 decision in juvenile court, Judge Gaston refused to send a violent teen to the adult court system following an attack on a guard, an escape from incarceration and a six-day crime spree around the valley. Judge Gaston's colleagues subsequently removed him from juvenile cases. Ms. Miley would bring a fair approach to the bench -- and toughness when it is needed. Stefany Miley wins our endorsement in Department F.

Las Vegas Justice Court has two seats up.

In Department 7, voters are lucky to have Jim Gubler, a 26-year veteran of the criminal defense bar and former chief deputy public defender, running against incumbent Karen Bennett. Justice Bennett's controversial decisions to set unusually low bail amounts for serious felons have doubtless contributed to her shockingly low 39 percent retention rating in the Review-Journal/bar association judicial survey. We recommend a change to Jim Gubler.

In Department 9, Joe Bonaventure Jr. placed first in the primary, undoubtedly because of voter familiarity with his father, the veteran District Court judge. The other contender, Bernie Zadrowski, teaches an evidence course at the police academy and has served in the DA's office for seven years. Though either candidate could do the job, voters would be better served by Bernie Zadrowski's mature judgment and additional years of experience.