Giuliani leads in Family Court K

Clark County voters made selections Tuesday in 10 Family Court races, including five newly created seats.

Nearly complete results showed attorney Cynthia Giuliani leading with 53 percent of the votes in the Department K race. Attorney Vincent Ochoa followed closely with 47 percent.

The seat previously was held by Nicholas Del Vecchio, who was defeated in the primary election. The Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission removed Del Vecchio from office last month, shortly before the end of his term, after he admitted to numerous sexual improprieties.

Lisa Kent was the only incumbent who was in jeopardy of losing her seat. Attorney Kenneth Pollock had 52 percent of the vote in the Department J race. Kent had 48 percent.

In the Review-Journal's 2006 Judicial Performance Evaluation survey, responding lawyers rated Kent the worst judge. Only 29 percent said she should be retained. The poll is conducted every two years.

This year, 36 percent of the respondents said Kent should be retained. Only District Judge Elizabeth Halverson, who was defeated in the primary election after facing misconduct allegations, fared worse on that question.

Kent was elected as Lisa Brown in 2000, the year her seat was created. She ran again in 2002 for a six-year term.

Pollock ran unsuccessfully against District Judge Donald Mosley in 2002 and made a failed bid in 2006 for a seat in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Three other incumbents -- Jennifer Elliott, Cynthia "Dianne" Steel and Cheryl Moss -- were holding onto their seats, while Family Court Judge Sandra Pomrenze was heading to victory to one of the newly created seats.

Pomrenze's victory in the Department P race would mean the governor would appoint a replacement to finish out her term in Department E.

Pomrenze had 53 percent of the vote, while attorney Jack Howard had 47 percent.

Elliott garnered 74 percent of the vote in the Department L race, and attorney Dawn Throne received 26 percent.

Steel had 65 percent of the vote in the Department G race, and attorney Amy Mastin had 35 percent.

Moss received 68 percent of the vote in the Department I race, and attorney Greta Muirhead garnered 32 percent.

Following are nearly complete results for four newly created seats:

• Attorney Mathew Harter received 53 percent of the vote in the Department N race; attorney Gayle Beck Nathan received 47 percent.

• Family Court Hearing Master Frank Sullivan had 55 percent of the vote in the Department O race; attorney Ron Israel had 45 percent.

• Attorney Bryce Duckworth garnered 53 percent of the vote in the Department Q race; attorney Carl Piazza received 47 percent.

• Attorney Bill Henderson had 62 percent of the vote in the Department R race; attorney Chuck Hoskin had 38 percent.