Endorsements on the judges

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 | 2:01 a.m.

Voters this year have several judicial elections to consider. These can be difficult choices for voters because as a rule, the public doesn’t track judicial decisions and legal issues, so voters can be hard-pressed in knowing who the best judges are. Let us help you. Here are the Sun’s endorsements for District and Family Court races in Clark County.

Several incumbent judges escaped without a race this year, but oddly, some of the best judges on the bench are being challenged.

For example:

• Judge Douglas W. Herndon is being opposed by Michael Davidson for the seat in District Court Department 3. We have endorsed Davidson, a smart, experienced lawyer, in his past runs for the bench. We still believe Davidson would be a good judge, and we hope to see him run again. But this year, he’s running against one of the best on the bench. Herndon is widely respected, and for good reason: He knows the law, has a good temperament and handles his courtroom well. He should be re-elected. The Sun endorses Douglas W. Herndon.

• In District Court Department 22, Judge Susan Johnson has drawn an opponent, but there’s no reason to replace her. She is sharp, hardworking and a quality all-around judge who has earned attorneys’ respect. Voters should re-elect her. The Sun endorses Susan Johnson.

• Judge Kathleen Delaney in District Court Department 25 has also drawn an opponent. We’ve known Delaney for years, going back before her highly successful career as an attorney. She understands the courtroom, the law and complex matters. Voters have no reason to push out a competent, experienced judge like her. The Sun endorses Kathleen Delaney.

• In Family Court Department H, Judge Art Ritchie is regularly acknowledged as one of the best judges — if not the best — in the county. He’s sharp and knowledgeable and knows the law. Voters need more judges like him on the bench. The Sun endorses Art Ritchie.

• Judge Vincent Ochoa has been what we expected on the bench when we endorsed him for Family Court Department S: a hardworking, solid judge who gets the job done. Despite a strong challenge, there’s no reason to oust him either. The Sun endorses Vincent Ochoa.

Those are just a few of the examples of good incumbents. The bottom line is that there are some very good incumbents on the bench. Although there are some great challengers who are worthy of support, voters should think twice before going on an anti-incumbent sweep in the judicial races.

Here’s the Sun’s complete list of judicial endorsements for 2014:

Judicial candidates

JUSTICE OF SUPREME COURT

Six-year term nonpartisan

Both seats are uncontested: Seat B: Kristina Pickering; Seat D: Mark Gibbons.

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

Six-year term nonpartisan

DEPARTMENT 2: Richard Scotti or John G. Watkins

DEPARTMENT 3: Douglas W. Herndon

DEPARTMENT 4: Kerry Louise Earley

DEPARTMENT 5: Carolyn Ellsworth

DEPARTMENT 8: Christine Guerci-Nyhus

DEPARTMENT 14: Adriana Escobar

DEPARTMENT 19: Cliff Marcek

DEPARTMENT 20: Jerry Tao

DEPARTMENT 22: Susan Johnson

DEPARTMENT 23: Stefany A. Miley

DEPARTMENT 24: Jim Crockett

DEPARTMENT 25: Kathleen Delaney

DEPARTMENT 28: Ron Israel

DEPARTMENT 30: Jerry A. Wiese

DEPARTMENT 32: Rob Bare

FAMILY COURT JUDGE

Six-year term nonpartisan

DEPARTMENT B: Linda Marquis

DEPARTMENT C: John Hall “Jack” Howard Jr.

DEPARTMENT D: Robert W. “Bob” Teuton

DEPARTMENT F: Denise L. Gentile or William “Bill” Gonzalez

DEPARTMENT H: Art Ritchie

DEPARTMENT I: Cheryl Moss

DEPARTMENT J: Rena G. Hughes

DEPARTMENT L: Jennifer Elliott

DEPARTMENT M: William Potter

DEPARTMENT N: Mathew Harter

DEPARTMENT P: Sandra L. Pomrenze

DEPARTMENT S: Vincent Ochoa

DEPARTMENT T: Maria Maskall