Lyon County deputy district attorney is running for office

Lyon County Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephen Rye announced Friday he is running for district attorney.

Rye will be challenged in the election by former Lyon County prosecutor Bob Auer. Current Lyon County District Attorney Leon Aberasturi is running for Third Judicial District Court judge.

If elected, Rye said, he intends to improve crime-victim services within the Lyon County District Attorney's Office.

"It is important that the system recognizes the needs of crime victims. These people have just suffered a loss or injury, and they are often intimidated or overlooked by the justice system. It is my intention to implement programs to make sure that victims are aware of the programs available in Lyon County and Nevada, and ensure that victims' rights are recognized and protected."

Rye said he would also like to improve the relationship between the district attorney's office and law enforcement.

"The deputies and police officers are the ones out there protecting us, and the district attorney's office needs to support them as much as possible."

In addition to working with the sheriff's department, Rye would like to devote more resources to prosecuting repeat offenders, he said.

"The repeat offenders are a drain on law enforcement and a threat to the public. The district attorney's office, in cooperation with the sheriff's office and police department, need to enforce the available laws in Nevada to get the repeat offenders off the streets," he said.

As district attorney, Rye said he would also like to work with law enforcement to address the growing criminal gang problem in Lyon County.

"We need to work together to tell these gangs that they do not belong in Lyon County, and there is no place for them here."

Before taking his position with the district attorney's office as a criminal prosecutor nearly 10 years ago, Rye served as law clerk for District Judge Archie E. Blake, who has since retired.

Born and raised in Antioch, Calif., Rye graduated from the University of California, Davis, and McGeorge School of Law. He and his wife, Cherie, a Lyon County Sheriff's investigator, have lived in Yerington for the last 11 years. The couple have a 5-year-old daughter.