Three finalists for Gamble's seat named

Gov. Brian Sandoval will select Douglas County's next district court judge from two Minden attorneys and a Reno lawyer.

Following interviews Tuesday of seven candidates for the position, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection forwarded the applications of Tod Young, 54, and James R. Hales, 53, of Minden, and Reno attorney Marc Picker, 55.

The governor has 30 days to announce the successor to District Judge Dave Gamble who is retiring effective Jan. 6.

Other applicants for the position included District Attorney Mark Jackson, 49, of Gardnerville; Caren Cafferata-Jenkins, 54, of Carson City; Mark J. Lenz, 61, of Reno and Gina C. Session, 54, of Carson City.

Chief Justice Michael Cherry chaired the commission of seven permanent members and two temporary appointees who interviewed the candidates Tuesday at the Supreme Court.

Applicants submitted 20-page applications, letters of recommendation and resumes to the commission and were questioned on topics ranging from why they wanted to be judge to what they thought of their chances to be re-elected, and how they would finance their campaigns.

Sandoval will interview each of the candidates before making his selection.

The successful applicant must run for re-election in 2014 at the end of Gamble's six-year term. State law does not require the judge to live in the county in which they serve.

The only public comment during Tuesday's hearing came from Scott Shick, Douglas County chief juvenile probation officer.

"We're going to miss Judge Gamble," Shick said. "My concern is that we continue that platform, that the new person can fit and carry on the foundation that Judge Gamble laid."

Gamble, 62, is the state's longest sitting judge, serving since he won election to the Department One seat in 1986.