Hoeffgen, Kimble-Simms to face-off in race for Municipal Court, Department 2

By Jeff Pope

Published Tuesday, April 7, 2009 | 9:41 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, April 8, 2009 | 1:02 a.m.

Marsha Kimble-Simms and Sean Hoeffgen will face-off in the June 2 general election in North Las Vegas because neither managed to collect a majority of votes in Tuesday’s primary for the judgeship of Municipal Court, Department 2.

The two candidates were separated by just 25 votes at the end of the count. The incumbent Hoeffgen held the slight margin with 3,099 votes, or 35.99 percent of the total votes cast, while Kimble-Simms collected 3,075 votes for 35.71 percent.

Challenger Christopher Cannon captured 2,436 votes or 28.29 percent.

The winner of the general election will serve a six-year term beginning July 1.

Hoeffgen created the Habitual Offender Prevention and Education Court program, which assists participants in gaining steady employment to reduce recidivism.

He also started DUI Court in North Las Vegas, enabling harsher consequences for offenders.

Kimble-Simms is a practicing attorney licensed in Nevada and California and has served as a judge pro tem in North Las Vegas Justice Court. She’s a former prosecutor who now runs her own practice specializing in criminal defense, personal injury, family law and business transactions.