Friday, Dec. 3, 1999 | 10:57 a.m.
WASHINGTON -- Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson is among the 16 candidates Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., today said he is considering for federal judgeships.
The contenders: Mark Albright; Bruce Alverson; Clark County District Attorney Stewart Bell; Las Vegas Deputy City Attorney Larry Bettis; David Chesnoff; Tim Cory; Bill Curran; Henderson Justice of the Peace Kent Dawson; Allan Earl; Kathleen England; Clark County District Judge Lee Gates; Gibson; Stan Hunterton; Nevada Supreme Court Justice Bill Maupin; U.S. District Judge Johnnie Rawlinson; and Clark County District Judge Valorie Vega.
Reid said he had talked with each in person. He said he didn't have a short list yet.
"This is an ongoing process," Reid said. "I'm keeping an open mind. I haven't ruled anyone in or out yet."
Reid is the ranking senator of the president's party, giving him the ability to nominate candidates for federal benches.
Congress last month approved two new U.S. district judge positions for Nevada, expanding the bench to eight, including two senior judges who work reduced caseloads.
Reid also seeks to fill a Nevada vacancy on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals bench, a 28-member panel with six vacancies.
The 9th Circuit includes California, Nevada and seven other western states.
Reid lists current U.S. District Judge Johnnie Rawlinson among the candidates for the federal appeals court job.
If Reid named Rawlinson to the position, he could have another nomination to make in order to fill her vacancy.
Any nominations would be subject to approval by the president and the Republican-controlled Senate.
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