Carson City prosecutor running in Storey County

Carson City prosecutor Anne Langer is running for Storey County District Attorney, she announced Monday after officially filing.

"I'm looking forward to bringing my experience and energy to work on behalf of Storey County and its citizens," she said.

Langer, 50, and a registered Republican, has been the chief criminal deputy district attorney for Carson City since 1997.

She now supervises six deputy district attorney's and five administrative staff. She brings a total of 17 years experience working in a Nevada district attorney's office to her election bid.

"I've never run for an elective office before, so I'm excited and really looking forward to getting out and meeting people," she said.

Appointed in the past as a special prosecutor in Storey County, Langer said she is familiar with the local court system, noting that both Storey County and Carson City are in the First Judicial District. She appreciates the small town flavor and history of Virginia City.

"As I've come to know many of the locals, I've been impressed with the pride people take in this community, and their concerns for the big-city problems which exist throughout the region. I think I have a lot to contribute," Langer said.

A veteran prosecutor, Langer was instrumental in setting up the Western Regional Drug Court, which now supervises drug-addicted offenders in Churchill, Mineral, Lyon, Douglas, Carson City and Storey counties. She is also an active team member of the newly created Mental Health Court, which is designed to reduce recidivism and to provide special services to criminal defendants who also have substantial problems with mental illness.

Langer said her experience includes being a deputy district attorney responsible for juvenile cases and child support enforcement for several years. She also worked as a legal advisor for two years for Carson City's Regional Transportation Commission, and occasionally advised the planning commission and the Carson City Board of Supervisors.

"I hope the voters agree to let me spend more time dealing with civil law matters as Storey County District Attorney," she said.

Langer stated she specialized in city government and land-use planning law during law school. She attended the University of the Pacific, McGeorge Law School, graduating in 1986. She also was a 1977 graduate of University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in education, with a minor in languages. Before attending law school, she worked as a school teacher and as a blackjack and baccarat dealer in a casino.

"I learned a lot about life in the 'real world' before law school," she said.

"Storey County is unique. It's a small but growing county. I promise to work hard if elected. I'll be a district attorney with wide-ranging skills and will strive to be fair, reasonable and effective."

Current Storey County District Attorney Harold Swafford filed for re-election on Monday.