CLARK COUNTY FAMILY COURT O

The race for the newly created Department O Family Court is a study in contrasts.

Ron Israel has been practicing law in Nevada for 25 years, focusing on dispute resolution and personal injury law. His opponent, Frank Sullivan, has worked as a hearing master in Family Court for the past nine years.

Both men tout their experience as their strength, Sullivan as someone who knows the ins and outs of Family Court, and Israel as a nonconformist who will bring new perspective to the system.

"I don't claim to be ingrained," Israel said. "I would be a fresh face."

Sullivan said his time on the bench is key.

"I've made custody decisions in the most difficult cases ... substance abuse, child abuse and domestic violence," he said.

Israel unsuccessfully ran for District Court judge positions in 2002 and 2006. Sullivan ran for a Family Court seat in 2002.

Both candidates were in a tight race in the primary. Israel garnered more than 33,000 votes at almost 37 percent. Sullivan got about 29,500 votes, nearly 33 percent.

Israel has mainly financed his own campaign. His August campaign contribution report shows he has raised only $750. Sullivan, meanwhile, raised more than $25,000 according to the same report.

But the gap doesn't bother Israel.

"To a certain extent, that gives me independence that most candidates don't have. I'm not indebted to anybody."

Israel would like to increase court hours in order for more cases to be heard in the bogged down system. He said the lack of space for judges is the single biggest logistical problem the court faces.

"The building is sitting there for many hours unoccupied and unused," Israel said.

Sullivan said that if elected he'd like to keep children who are wards of the courts out of locked mental health facilities, and placed in community-based treatment centers.

He added that another priority would be to find a permanent home for foster children much faster than the average 30 months children are now in the system. He'd like to keep children in their homes, with a relative, or get them adopted and out of foster care within a year of being put into government care.

"They are languishing in the foster care system for far too long, and that's not acceptable," Sullivan said.

Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4538.