Incumbent judges succeed

District Judge Jessie Walsh had a modest lead over challenger Bill Kephart in the Department 10 race, according to early results Tuesday night, while five other incumbents in Clark County District Court had comfortable leads over their opponents.

Walsh had 52 percent of the vote, and Kephart, a chief deputy district attorney, had 48 percent.

District Judge Michelle Leavitt had 67 percent of the vote in the race for Department 12, a seat once held by her father, while Assistant Federal Public Defender Linda Bell had 71 percent of the vote in the race to replace her father, Stewart Bell, in Department 7.

Leavitt was challenged by attorney Kurt Harris, who had 33 percent of the vote. Bell's opponent was attorney Robert Spretnak, who had 29 percent.

Longtime District Judge Donald Mosley had 59 percent of the vote in the Department 14 race, while challenger Chris Davis had 41 percent.

District Judge Michael Villani, who was appointed in 2007, had 62 percent of the vote in the Department 17 race, while challenger Bruce Gale had 38 percent.

In the Department 22 race, District Judge Susan Johnson had 82 percent of the vote; challenger Donn Ianuzi, an attorney, had 18 percent. Johnson was elected to serve a two-year term in 2006.

District Judge Elissa Cadish, who was appointed in 2007, had 65 percent of the vote in the Department 6 race. She was challenged by attorney Benjamin Childs Sr., who had 35 percent.

Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Doug Smith had 70 percent of the vote in the race to replace District Judge Lee Gates in Department 8. Smith's opponent, attorney Josh Kunis, had 30 percent.

Family Court Judge Stefany Miley had 70 percent of the vote in the race to replace District Judge Elizabeth Halverson in Department 23. Halverson was defeated in the primary election after facing misconduct allegations.

Attorney Jason Landess ran against Miley and had 30 percent of the vote.

Nevada Deputy Attorney General Kathleen Delaney and attorney Susan Scann faced off in the race for Department 25, a newly created seat in District Court. Delaney had 62 percent of the vote, while Scann had 38 percent.

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.