Five western Nevada judicial candidates file

Five incumbent judges filed to return to the bench as the campaign season officially opened Monday.

Both Carson City Judges -- veteran Mike Griffin and Bill Maddox who was appointed just 20 months ago -- filed papers with the Secretary of State's office.

Griffin, 58, is now second in seniority among Nevada's active district judges, having been first elected in 1979. He is seeking a fifth six-year term in office. Washoe County's Peter Breen is most senior among the 60 district judges in Nevada.

Maddox, 54, was appointed in August 2000 to replace Mike Fondi, who retired. Maddox said he is finding the job increasingly interesting and challenging. His history includes five years as U.S. attorney for Nevada, nearly four years as Carson district attorney and 10 years in private practice.

In addition, judges Archie Blake and David Huff who sit on the bench for Churchill and Lyon counties, filed for re-election as did Jerry Sullivan, who has been district judge in Winnemucca for the past 18 years.

All Nevada district judges run at the same time every six years, unlike the Supreme Court where terms are staggered.