Halverson battles 2 for re-election

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Friday, Aug. 8, 2008 | 7:36 p.m.

Clark County District Court Department 23 Judge Elizabeth Halverson’s seat will be up for grabs Tuesday.

The 50-year-old judge is facing a Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission complaint for falling asleep at the bench, creating a hostile working environment and treating jurors improperly. She has been suspended with pay since July 2007.

Halverson has said she is afraid the negative publicity could affect her campaign for re-election.

Halverson, who was elected to a two-year term in 2006, denies the charges.

One of her opponents, 62-year-old attorney Jason Landess, has been practicing litigation for about 25 years. Landess said he will use his lengthy experience to administer the law fairly and he doesn’t have a political agenda for running in the race.

Stefany Miley, 37, has endorsements from the Police Protective Association, the Clark County Prosecutors Association and Laborers' International Union of North America Local 702, among others. She currently serves as the Family Court Judge for Department F, dealing with issues such as custody battles, divorce, tax and real estate, and temporary protection orders.