Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Carson City Justice of the Peace Robey Willis votes Tuesday afternoon with his grandson, Jake Harrell, 4, at the Carson Mall. Jake entertained himself with his grandfather's tie while watching Willis vote. Willis gained an easy victory over challenger Deputy Attorney General Mark Krueger in his bid for his fourth term.
Deputy Attorney General Neil Rombardo became Carson City District Attorney on Tuesday, beating Carson City Deputy District Attorney Mike Suglia by more than 4,000 votes. Justice of the Peace Robey Willis also gained an easy victory over challenger Deputy Attorney General Mark Krueger in the general election.
"I'm very excited, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve Carson City and do the job of district attorney," said Rombardo, 34, as he celebrated with family and friends at El Charro Avitia on South Carson Street.
A one-time deputy district attorney in Carson City, Rombardo announced his intention to seek election while current District Attorney Noel Waters was still undecided about running for his sixth term of office. When District Judge Michael Griffin said he would retire in January, Waters opted out of the district attorney's race and instead submitted his name for the judgeship. He failed to make the short list released by the Judicial Selection Commission in October and has not said what he intends to do when his term ends in January.
Justice of the Peace Willis heard the news of his re-election with friends at the Empire Ranch Golf Course clubhouse.
In his fourth bid for justice of the peace, Willis said he intends to complete the six-year term despite challenger Krueger's inference that he would not.
"I'm ready to go back to work tomorrow afternoon," said Willis, 63, who has run six times for public office, twice as a juvenile magistrate. "You never get totally used to elections, but it really feels good to be re-elected. I never run a negative campaign, and I didn't this time. And the local people are smart enough to know the difference. They want to hear facts, not mudslinging."
Neither Krueger or Suglia could be reached for comment.
• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.