Incumbent regent loses to challenger

The only university regent from Southern Nevada who ran opposed this year lost his bid for re-election late Tuesday.

Regent Bret Whipple was defeated by political newcomer Robert Blakely by 6 percentage points, earning 47 percent of the vote to his opponent's 53 percent.

Whipple, a criminal defense attorney, has served as a regent since 2002. Blakely is a salesman for a financial services company.

Regents Jack Lund Schofield and Thalia Dondero were unopposed. Dondero, however, will lose her seat because of a recent Supreme Court ruling on term limits. Gov. Jim Gibbons will appoint a replacement.

In Northern Nevada, Regent Howard Rosenberg was removed from the ballot because of term limits. He probably will be replaced by William Cobb, who had a large lead late Tuesday over challenger Farrokh Hormazdi.

Also in Washoe County, Regent Jason Geddes appeared to be on his way to easily beating challenger Rajan Zed.

With Regent Steve Sisolak's victory in his bid for the Clark County Commission, the governor also will have to appoint a replacement for him.