High court hopefuls use their money

CARSON CITY -- The four candidates running for a vacant seat on the Nevada Supreme Court are spending big bucks, much of it their own, on the race.

Nancy Allf, a Las Vegas attorney, has amassed nearly $490,000 in her bid for the seat being vacated by retiring Justice Bill Maupin. Allf has spent nearly the entire amount in advance of the Tuesday primary, where the two top vote getters will move on to the November general election. Allf has loaned more than $270,000 to her own campaign.

Don Chairez, a former Clark County District judge who is now an attorney in private practice, reported a $135,000 loan to his own campaign for the race. No other contributions were listed in his report filed with the secretary of state's office. He also reported spending most of the money in advance of the primary.

Washoe County Family Court Judge Deborah Schumacher reported contributions of nearly $318,000, including a loan of $150,000 to her campaign, and expenditures of $132,000.

Las Vegas attorney Kris Pickering reported just over $556,000 in cash contributions, including more than $365,000 in her own funds as a loan to her campaign. She has spent almost $533,000.

The reports cover the time from Jan. 1 through July 31.