Court’s decision on term limits leaves unknowns

By Cy Ryan

Friday, July 25, 2008 | 4:08 p.m.

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court’s decision today on term limits has prompted some political speculation.

Regent Thalia Dondero, of the Board of Regents, was the only one on the ballot for her job. She has been knocked off the general election ballot because of term limits, creating a vacancy in the office in January.

Secretary of State Ross Miller says there are some legal arguments suggesting Gov. Jim Gibbons may be able to re-appoint Dondero to the vacant position until the 2010 election.

“This is a possibility,” Miller told reporters after the court issued its opinion Friday morning. But he declined to give a firm answer.

Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury’s name will still appear on the primary election ballot, challenged by two others. If Woodbury wins, then the Clark County Republican Central Committee will name a replacement for the general election. And the committee could bypass the other two GOP candidates, Duane Christy and Brian Scroggins.

Miller said the elimination of Woodbury’s name “should not discredit his distinguished career” of some 27 years.

Regent Howard Rosenberg of Reno is in a three-way race. Since Rosenberg is unable to appear on the November ballot because of the term limit decision, the other two will face off in the general election.

The secretary of state’s office will post notices at the polling places that certain candidates have been knocked off the ballot by the ruling of the Supreme Court.

Miller, who started the term limit challenges to those who were elected in 1996, called the court’s ruling “fair and well reasoned.” “It clearly upheld the will of the people,” he said.