Politicalyear now in session

The two-season filing period in Nevada has begun.

It’s the political season in the Silver State.

For the next two weeks, judges can register as candidates for their respective offices, but then the next filing period is at the beginning of March when other office-seekers from the local to the state level can thrown their hats into the arena.

Judge Tom Stockard, who was tabbed by Gov. Brian Sandoval to succeed the late David Huff, filed on Monday to run for re-election. In 2012, however, Stockard successfully ran for the Tenth Judicial District to fill the remaining term of Huff, who had been returned to the seat in 2008.

The second round of filings is March 3-14 where most county offices will be up for grabs. Pete Olsen is the only county commissioner up for re-election, while the assessor, public administrator, recorder and clerk/treasurer positions are all open.

Art Mallory said he plans to run for re-election as district attorney, and Sheriff Ben Trotter, who won election four years ago, plans to seek the office again.

Three spots on the Mosquito, Weed and Batement Board and four seats on the Churchill County School Board are open this year. Carmen Schank, who won a two-year election in 2012 to fill out Dennis Gailey’s term, will be eligible to seek a four-year term.

The major statewide officer, except governor, will see new people in those positions because of term limits. Elections will be conducted for secretary of state, comptroller, attorney general, treasurer and lieutenant governor.

Gov. Brian Sandoval has begun his re-election campaign to serve another term.

This will be a quiet year for the two Nevada senators — Harry Reid and Dean Heller — but Nevada’s congressmen and women must run every two years. Mark Amodei, who represents Congressional District 2 in Northern Nevada, will seek his second full term.

The primary election occurs June 10 with early voting May 24-June 6. Depending on the number of candidates vying for each office and if there aren’t enough candidates in the primary, a Lahontan Valley News candidates’ night may or may not be held in May before early voting.

A candidates’ night, though, is scheduled for mid-October before early voting begins on Oct. 18. The general election this year is Nov. 4.

The candidates’ night will bring together all the local office seekers.

Editorials written by the LVN Editorial Board appear on Wednesdays.