Palin rally is at issue in judicial race

RENO -- A Nevada Supreme Court candidate has sharply criticized her opponent's comments at a rally for Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin last month.

Deborah Schumacher, a Washoe County Family Court judge, contends Kris Pickering "crossed the line" as a candidate for a nonpartisan judicial post when she praised Palin and John McCain at the Carson City event.

"There were words used by Ms. Pickering that aligned herself with the ticket," Schumacher said Wednesday at a debate sponsored by the Washoe County Bar Association.

Pickering, a lawyer, defended her appearance at the Palin rally. She said she also had addressed Carson City Democrats and she accepts all invitations to speak.

Pickering also defended her praise of McCain's judicial voting record at the rally.

Schumacher, who addressed the state Democratic convention earlier this year, said she also tried to speak at the GOP convention but was turned down because their bylaws do not allow a non-GOP candidate.