Halverson ousted; Miley top vote-getter

While the Judicial Discipline Commission weighs the fate of embattled District Judge Elizabeth Halverson, voters delivered their own verdict Tuesday, deciding Halverson must go.

Halverson, who faces complaints of falling asleep on the bench and harassing her staff, received less than 10 percent of the vote, trailing opponents Stefany Miley and Jason Landess, who will move to the general election in November.

A woman who declined to give her name as she walked out of Ruth Fyfe Elementary School said she and her husband specifically showed up at the polls to voice their displeasure with Halverson. The couple called her "goofy."

"I voted against her because of the recent happenings, her health issues ... everything," the woman said.

Voter Barbara Lloyd said she too wanted to be sure Halverson wasn't re-elected.

"I want her out of office," Lloyd said. "I haven't been impressed with her at all."

Halverson's run for office appeared to be bleak before she faced the discipline commission. According to her campaign contribution reports, she had $5,200 in her election coffers thanks to a loan from herself.

She could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Miley, who was elected to the Family Court in 2004, has been endorsed by the Police Protective Association, the Clark County Prosecutors Association and the Laborers' International Union of North America Local 702. Miley, who leads the way so far in campaign contributions collecting $144,340, received nearly 60 percent of the vote.

"Obviously I'm very excited," Miley said Tuesday evening as the results trickled in. "I've stayed active in the community even when I'm not campaigning, and I've gotten to know a lot of people.

"Tomorrow I will hit the ground running again and campaign just as hard until the day of the general election."

Landess was a distant second with 30 percent of the vote. He worked as a prosecutor in Orange County and has more than 25 years experience in complex litigation experience.

District Judge Jessie Walsh was given the opportunity to retain her Department 10 seat in a four-way race, although with 30 percent of the vote she fell second to attorney William Kephart. Kephart garnered about 35 percent.

"The community deserves better than it has received," Kephart said Tuesday. "The Halverson situation is as embarrassing as all get-out in the legal community.

"Some individuals get elected, get in there and think they're entitled to it. If they don't live up to their responsibility, they shouldn't stay there," he said.

If early campaigning is any indication, it appears the road to the November election might not be smooth for either candidate.

Leading up to Tuesday's primary race, Walsh pointed out that Kephart had been admonished for his behavior in the courtroom. Kephart said the community is not receiving fair representation from Walsh.

Attorney David Rivers finished third. Ian Christopherson, who acknowledged he was not going to actively campaign and only entered the race so that Walsh would have competition, backed his words, collecting no money from potential contributors.

District Judge Donald Mosley who touts himself as being tough on criminals, also advanced to the general election in Department 14. Mosley, who received a 56 percent retention rating in the Review-Journal's most recent Judicial Performance Evaluation survey, garnered the most votes out of three candidates.

Mosley received 47 percent of the vote and headed to a face-off with North Las Vegas Deputy City Attorney Chris Davis, who garnered 28 percent, in the general election.

Nevada Deputy Attorney General Kathleen Delaney received the most support in the race for Department 25 and will face Susan Scann in the general election.

Delaney served as assistant general counsel to The Mirage and general counsel for the Treasure Island Corp. in the 1990s when casinos were engaged in a civil rights battle with handbill distributors.

Delaney said she raised less money -- about $47,000 -- than three of her opponents because she planned to run a nontraditional race. She did not send out mailers or air television commercials. She posted signs and walked door-to-door.

"I feel you really need to connect with voters one-on-one so they get to know who their judges are," Delaney said.

Scann got 211 votes more than Suzan Baucum in unofficial results Tuesday.