Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014 | 11:42 a.m.
CARSON CITY — The Nevada Supreme Court, in a 5-2 decision, ruled that two Reno City Council members barred by term limits from running again also are not eligible to run for mayor.
The court granted a petition by mayoral candidate George “Eddie” Lorton to block Jessica Sferrazza and Dwight Dortch, who both served 12 years on the council, from filing to run for mayor.
Today’s majority opinion of the court, written by Justice James Hardesty, said that in Reno, the mayor is a member of the council, so the same term limits apply.
The case, Hardesty said, is an issue of statewide importance.
The mayors of Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas also are members of their respective councils, the court noted.
Justices Nancy Suita and Ron Parraguirre dissented, saying the offices of mayor and city council are separate.
Justice Katrina Pickering wrote a separate opinion agreeing with the majority.
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