Wednesday, March 12, 2003 | 2:04 a.m.
NAME: Lillian Davis.
AGE: 55
EDUCATION: Received a BA in psychology from University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1969 and a Master's in psychology from UNLV in 1971; Juris Doctorate degree from California Western in 1976.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Went into private general law practice in 1977 and has been practicing for 25 years.
ENDORSEMENTS: None.
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NAME: Bill Gonzalez.
AGE: 41
EDUCATION: BS in business management from the University of Redlands in 1991, an MBA in international management in 1992; and a Juris Doctorate from Brigham Young University in 1997.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Worked for Communication Workers of America with the telephone company for more than eight years while going to college. Following graduate school worked for State Farm Insurance as a property claims adjuster. In 1994 went to law school and following graduation started working for Barker, Brown, Busby, Chrisman and Thomas, PC as an Associate Attorney litigating insurance defense. In 1999, started working for the Public Defender's office and is currently still there.
ENDORSEMENTS: The Las Vegas City Employees Association.
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NAME: Bill Henderson.
AGE: 44
EDUCATION: BA in English Literature from the State University of New York in 1981; Juris Doctorate from Washburn University in 1984.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Has a private general practice with a strong focus on family cases. Has also worked as an Alternate Hearing Master in family court dealing with child support and temporary protective orders.
ENDORSEMENTS: None.
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NAME: Stefany Miley.
AGE: 32
EDUCATION: BA in Journalism and Marketing from Texas A & M University in 1993; Juris Doctorate from California Western in 1995.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Following law school worked with Jolley, Urga, Wirth & Woodbury, currently works as Corporate Counsel for State Farm Insurance.
ENDORSEMENTS: None.
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NAME: Gary A. Pulliam
AGE: 48
EDUCATION: BA in sociology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1978; Juris Doctorate from California Western in 1983.
WORK EXPERIENCE: In 1987 went into the Airforce as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate posted at Nellis Airforce Base. From 1993 to 1996, went into private general practice. In 1996, started working at the Nye County District Attorneys office as the Chief Civil Deputy District Attorney. In 1998, moved mack to Las Vegas and became the managing attorney for Allstate Staff Counsel office. In 2001, became a senior trial attorney with William C. Turner and Associates. Also an Alternate Municipal judge and an arbitrator with the Eighth Judicial District Court.
ENDORSEMENTS: Las Vegas Metro Police Managers and Supervisors Association.
___
NAME: Abbi Silver. AGE: 38
EDUCATION: BA in political science from University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1986; Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law in 1989.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Clerk with Judge Earle W. White, Jr. from 1989-90 in the Eighth Judicial District Court. Following the clerkship, worked with the Clark County District Attorney's office. Currently a Chief Deputy District Attorney for the Special Victim's Unit specializing in domestic violence, sexual assault, child and elderly abuse/neglect, aggravated stalking and homicide involving domestic violence.
ENDORSEMENTS: Nevada Highway Patrol Association; Clark County School District Police Officer's Association; Nevada Black Police Officers; Clark County District Attorney Investigators Association.
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NAME: Larry J. Weinsteen.
AGE: 35
EDUCATION: BA in political science from Rutgers University in 1988; Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University in 1991.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Worked as an Associate at Beckley Singleton until 1993. After opened a general private practise which he currently still operates. Has also served as an Alternate Municipal Court Judge for the past four years.
ENDORSEMENTS: None.
Separate and survive.
Political analysts say that's what the seven hopefuls vying for the Department 6 seat on the Las Vegas Municipal Court must do to make it past the April 8 primary and into the June 8 general election.
"The problem with judicial campaigns is generally there are no real issues," said Michael Bowers, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "All they can do is campaign on the promise to be ethical. It will really come down to name recognition."
Lillian Davis, 55; Bill Gonzalez, 41; Bill Henderson, 44; Stefany Miley, 32; Gary Pulliam, 48; Abbi Silver, 38; and Larry Weinsteen, 35, all face a tough election season with a potentially low voter turnout.
The seat was vacated by Jessie Walsh in November after she was elected to District Court. Dayvid Figler was appointed to the position in January by the City Council after he agreed not to run for the seat. The Department 6 position is a six-year term that pays $113,578 annually.
Municipal judges mainly deal with contested traffic tickets and other citations, and for that reason citizens are more likely to go before a municipal judge than any other type of judge.
Bowers said the front-running candidates for the bench appear to be trying to gear their campaigns toward people who are most likely to vote in a municipal election. Having money and political consultants behind them doesn't hurt either.
"They do help at this stage," he said.
With large campaign signs throughout the city and big names behind them, Silver, Miley and Pulliam are considered the favorites.
Silver may be the front-runner thanks to her years as a chief deputy district attorney. And although her bid for district attorney last year fell short, it was a high-profile race that should make her name recognizable to many voters.
Silver said she is optimistic that she will win, and she has political consultant Mike Slanker on board to help her.
Miley and Pulliam, likewise, have campaign consultants. Miley hired Tom Letizia, who is also working to re-elect Mayor Oscar Goodman. Pulliam has Mark Brown and Chris Ferrari of Brown and Partners.
Neither Miley nor Pulliam has run for office before, so they are focusing on building name recognition with voters.
Pulliam is hoping his four years as an alternate municipal court judge will help set him apart.
"When I started doing it I really liked the job," Pulliam said. "I'm not sure how the others think about it but I want to do this job as long as I can. It suits my personality. It's not going to be a stepping stone for me."
Miley is counting on radio ads and a boost from people who know her and her work.
"I have received a great deal of support from lawyers and other people throughout the community," she said.
If all the ads and talk about support translate into lots of campaign contributions, however, voters should be cautious, Gonzalez and Henderson said.
"I don't come from a rich family and I don't have money," said Gonzalez at a recent candidate forum. "I don't have a glamorous sign with my photo on there. But I know the meaning of hard work. I am the first one to come into work in the morning and I am the last one to leave."
Henderson also expressed his dismay with the notion that the candidate with the most money wins.
"Follow the money trail," he said. "If a candidate is too cozy with a lawyer or accepts a lot of money from one side or another, watch out."
Henderson has been in the judicial campaign trenches several times, having run unsuccessfully for Family Court in 2000, for Municipal Court Department 2 in 2001 and for Family Court Department L in 2002. He says his previous campaign attempts have helped him gain the name recognition he'll need to win the race.
"I honestly believe it'll be myself and (Silver) in the general election," he said.
Weinsteen, like Pulliam, is banking on his four years as an alternate municipal judge to build support.
"I really think I have made a positive difference," Weinsteen said. "There are a lot of well qualified candidates. I'm just happy for the opportunity to compete."
Twenty-five years after her first bid for office, Davis felt it was time to compete again. She said it was now or never.
"It's the appropriate time in my life to commit myself to a race and for a change from the law to the bench," Davis said.
Davis said she'll get more serious about raising money if she makes it to the general election.
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