Two Supreme Court seats were up for election in Nevada in 2008. On August 12, 2008, attorney Mary “Kris” Pickering and Washoe District Court Judge Deborah Schumacher won the primary race for Seat B and advanced to the general election. Pickering and Schumacher beat out two other candidates—attorney Nancy Allf and former Clark County District Judge Don Chairez—vying to replace Justice William Maupin who announced that he would not seek election for a third six-year term. Kris Pickering went on to win the seat on the high court. Supreme Court Seat B incumbent, Justice Mark Gibbons, ran for reelection as well, and was challenged by attorney Thomas Christensen. Justice Gibbons won the race and maintained his seat on the bench.
Total spending on television ads in the 2008 judicial election cycle equaled $3.1 million—approximately three times what was spent in 2006. Nevada has consistently run expensive elections, yet they have not seen a particularly noteworthy race in the last eight years. A Los Angeles Times investigation from 2006 revealed that even those judges running unopposed collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from litigants, often dated “within days of when a judge took action on a contributor’s case.”
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July 6, 2008 – Allf Bio
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In this ad, Nancy Allf says, “I promise to restore your confidence in our judges.”
July 7, 2008 – Allf Endorsements
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This ad argues Nancy Allf has “the intellect, temperament, and leadership to be a tremendous Supreme Court justice.”
July 8, 2008 – Allf Bio REV
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Nancy Allf says, “We cannot read about another judge who has abused our trust.”
July 17, 2008 – Pickering Right Experience
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Kris Pickering says she “won’t play politics or legislate from the bench.”
July 17, 2008 – Pickering Right Experience REV
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In this ad, Kris Pickering is endorsed by veterans, prosecutors, and police.
July 24, 2008 – Chairez Bio
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This ad about Judge Chairez says, “If he’s done this much so far in life, imagine what Don Chairez will do for us on the Nevada Supreme Court.”
July 29, 2008 – Pickering Only Right Experience
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This ad explores Kris Pickering’s qualifications.
August 4, 2008 – Pickering Only Right Experience II
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This ad by Kris Pickering revisits her experience.
August 6, 2008 – Pickering Praise
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This ad lists various groups praising Kris Pickering.
October 10, 2008 – Gibbons Top Rated
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This ad calls Justice Gibbons “law enforcement’s choice.”
October 10, 2008 – Gibbons Years of Experience
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This ad by Justice Gibbons touts his years of experience.
October 13, 2008 – Schumacher Proud of Mom
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Judge Schumacher’s daughter tells voters she is proud of her mom.
October 15, 2008 – Pickering the Choice
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This ad touts Kris Pickering’s experience in front of the state Supreme Court.
October 15, 2008 – Pickering the Choice REV
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Kris Pickering says, "I’ll have one priority on the Supreme Court. Protecting your rights and the rights of all Nevadans."
October 23, 2008 – Pickering Blew the Whistle
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This ad says Kris Pickering stoop up to judicial corruption.
October 24, 2008 – Pickering Blew the Whistle REV
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This ad claims political insiders tried to extort special treatment from Kris Pickering. She blew the whistle, and the FBI investigated.
October 25, 2008 – Pickering Blew the Whistle SP
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This is a Spanish version of Kris Pickering’s ad.
October 29, 2008 – Schumacher I’m Voting
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In this ad, people on the street talk about voting for Judge Schumacher based on her experience.
October 30, 2008 – Schumacher I’m Voting Not a Judge
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This ad by Judge Schumacher points out that her opponent is lawyer, not a judge.
October 31, 2008 – Pickering Blew the Whistle REV 2
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This ad says the police endorse Kris Picking for Supreme Court.