DISTRICT COURT DEPARTMENT 22

The race to be the District Court judge for Department 22 has pitted incumbent District Judge Susan Johnson against former Deputy District Attorney Donn Ianuzi.

Johnson was first elected to serve a two-year term in 2006.

Johnson believes she's done a good job handling some of the most complicated civil and construction defect cases in Clark County.

Before being elected, Johnson practiced law for more than 21 years. She received her law degree from the McGeorge School of Law.

In the Review-Journal's 2008 Judicial Performance Evaluation survey Johnson earned an 80 percent retention rating from those lawyers who rated her.

Johnson has received endorsements the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Managers and Supervisors Association, and the Clark County Prosecutors Association among others.

Johnson said she has raised about $150,000 to run her campaign.

Ianuzi, a former deputy district attorney, deputy attorney general and deputy public defender, is now in private practice.

He's been practicing law for 19 years.

"I don't believe really in campaigning hard for a job. If it happens it happens," he said.

Ianuzi would not disclose how much money he was planning on spending on the race, but indicated it would be minimal.

Ianuzi says he has the experience to be a judge.

"I've worked in large firms and small firms and for myself. I have broad experience," Ianuzi said. "I feel like I'm qualified to do the job. It's a demanding position in this town."

Ianuzi said he believes Las Vegas needs more judges because the backlog of cases is so large.

He had nothing bad to say about his opponent.

"She's a nice judge. She's a good judge. I'm not going to say anything bad about any judge," he said.

Ianuzi received his law degree from Syracuse University.

Contract reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-3872904.