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Osler the clear choice for judge, poll says

By Laura McVicker
Published: March 18, 2010, 12:00am

Clark County District Court Commissioner Kelli Osler is the clear favorite for the District Court judge position, according to Clark County Bar Association preference poll results released this morning.

In every category — legal ability, judicial temperament, integrity and relevant legal experience — Osler was overwhelmingly the bar association’s choice.

Of the 161 votes tallied, Osler picked up 137. Coming in second was Vancouver real estate and land use attorney Jim Sellers with 21 votes. Vancouver attorney Craig Kennedy received three votes.

The three candidates are the finalists for the District Court position vacated by Rich Melnick.

The three Clark County Board of Commissioners are expected to name a successor early next month for Melnick, who took the place of retiring Superior Court Judge Robert Harris in January.

A panel including the commissioners, two retired Superior Court judges, the county administrator and a member of the Clark County Bar Association are conducting interviews this month.

Osler, who was appointed in 2005 to be District Court commissioner, presides over traffic and small-claims matters, in addition to substituting for District Court judges. She previously worked for the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office for 13 years, including five years in the major crimes unit.

Here are further results of the preference poll:

• For being “exceptionally well qualified” in legal ability: Osler received 82 votes, Sellers received 17 votes and Kennedy picked up one vote.

• For being “exceptionally well qualified” in judicial temperament: Osler picked up 97 votes, Sellers received 15 votes and Kennedy received one vote.

• For being “exceptionally well qualified” in integrity: Osler got 100 votes, Sellers received 21 votes and Kennedy was given one vote.

• For being “exceptionally well qualified” in legal experience: Osler received 101 votes, Sellers got 18 votes and Kennedy picked up one vote.

The poll results will be given to commissioners as a recommendation. The successor, who will handle misdemeanor criminal cases and small-claims civil cases, will have to run in the November election if they are interested in keeping the post.

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