Two more take names off ballot

CARSON CITY -- Two more people withdrew their candidacies for federal, state and local public offices Tuesday, bringing to 14 the number who backed out by the 5 p.m. deadline at the Clark County Election Department and the secretary of state's office.

None of those who withdrew were people with widespread name recognition.

Nonpartisan John Cole became the third candidate to pull out of the Clark County School Board Department 5 race. Earlier, Dennis Rich and Anthony Spiegel withdrew. But four other candidates still are seeking the seat.

Arun Gupta of Las Vegas withdrew from the State Board of Education District 1 race. Two candidates remain in the race.

Jonathan Blackwell, a Republican, on Monday dropped out of the Clark County Commission District B race. He instead will run for the Moapa Valley Water District. His departure leaves Ruth Johnson as the only Republican in the race against incumbent Democrat Tom Collins and Independent American Warren Ross Markowitz.

Blackwell said Johnson has his full support in the race.

Some of the candidates backed out of races shortly after filing for judicial seats in January and other elective offices in March.

The primary election will be June 12, the general Nov. 6.

CANDIDATES WHO HAVE DROPPED OUT

■ Michael Leslie, Democrat, U.S. Senate

■ Erik Holland, Democrat, 2nd Congressional District

■ Rex Ricks, Democrat, 2nd Congressional District

■ Rebecca Bevans, nonpartisan, state Board of Regents, Department 9

■ Arun Gupta, nonpartisan, State Board of Education, District 1.

■ Jerimy Kirschner, Republican, Assembly District 4

■ Jonathan Blackwell, Republican, Clark County Commission District B

■ John Cole, nonpartisan, Clark County School Board Department E

■ Dennis Rich, nonpartisan, Clark County School Board Department E

■ Anthony Spiegel, nonpartisan, Clark County School Board Department E

■ John Eccles, nonpartisan, Clark County District Court Department 20

■ Tony Liker, nonpartisan, Las Vegas Justice Court Department 5

■ Stephen Smith, nonpartisan, Las Vegas Justice Court Department 5

■ Francis Cawley, nonpartisan, Las Vegas Justice Court Department 10