Nevadans can expect to see some newcomers to the courts in Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas, according to primary election results released Tuesday night.

Preliminary results showed attorney James Dean Leavitt, notably, in second place in a five-candidate race for the Las Vegas Justice of the Peace seat in Ward 4, receiving 23.6 percent of the vote.

Suzan Baucum was in first place around 10 p.m. with 28.1 percent of the vote, ahead of Leavitt, Jessica Smith-Peterson, Hilary Heap and Holly Stoberski.

“I know the polls closed at 7 p.m. and the ballots are still being counted and processed,” Smith-Peterson, who showed initial results at 21.7 percent of the vote, said in an email . “There is still a lot to decide and my team is patiently waiting.”

Stoberski, who early results showed with just 13.1 percent of the vote, said in a text message Tuesday night, “While I am disappointed with the result, my commitment to serving our community remains strong. I will continue to advocate for justice and fairness in all that I do.”

Leavitt’s previous unsuccessful contests for judicial seats were marked by controversyincluding allegations that he once hit a roadside whipper, which he denies.

In the Las Vegas race for a Justice Court Department 2 seat between incumbent Joseph Sciscento and Deputy Public Defender Kristal Bradford, Bradford was with 51.1 percent of the vote Tuesday night, initial results showed. This year is the first time Sciscento has faced an opponent.

“I am very grateful and honored to receive the majority of votes and look forward to working with the people of Clark County,” Bradford said in an email Tuesday night.

Bradford, who said he wanted to take the bench after years of representing “the most vulnerable people in our society.” asked a mailer sent by the Sciscento campaign that advertised an endorsement from the Republican Party despite the judicial races being nonpartisan. Sciscento said support came from the Nevada Republican Club and reprinted the mailings.

In Las Vegas Justice Court Department 5, Justice of the Peace and former Chief Judge Cynthia Dustin-Cruz led the polls against Chief Deputy District Attorney Madilyn “Leavitt” Cole with 51.6 percent of the vote, initial results showed.

Cole said the Justice Court needed strong leadership after Dustin-Cruz stepped down as chief justice, a move Dustin-Cruz said he made to continue “doing a job phenomenal” in the various committees in which he is a member.

Dustin-Cruz said Cole’s use of her family name “Leavitt” was her “attempt to ride the coattails of someone else’s reputation.” Cole said she was proud of her identity and wanted people to know who she was. Dustin-Cruz also criticized a GOP emblem on one of Cole’s mailers, but Cole said the group in question was not GOP and did not violate judicial canons.

In Ward 8, candidate Nancy Bernstein led her opponent, Amy Ferreira, with 50.1 percent of the vote Tuesday night.

Bernstein, a criminal defense attorney and civil litigator, said was inspired to run after her ex-husband Dennis Prince was shot and killed in his Summerlin law office in April. Ferreira, an audiologist, said he hopes to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

“I’m optimistic to see these initial results,” Bernstein said in a text message late Tuesday. “I am deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to vote and to everyone who supported this campaign. I remain committed to serving our community while we await the final results.”

Elsewhere, veteran prosecutor Sandy DiGiacomo won 58.3 percent of the vote, leading public defender Marla Renteria in a race for a Justice Court location in Henderson.

“I’m very pleased with the results so far, but I understand there are more votes to count,” DiGiacomo said.

In North Las Vegas, hearing commander and former Army Air Force officer Jonathan Cooper is advancing former North Las Vegas Single Municipal Judge Sean Hoeffgen for a Justice Court. seat with 74.8 percent of the vote, according to initial results.

“I wish Jonathan the best of luck,” Hoeffgen said in a text message Tuesday night.

Cooper said in a text message Tuesday night that he was “pleased with the results and if the initial results hold, I will be honored to be the next justice of the peace in North Las Vegas.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Estelle Atkinson at [email protected]. Follow @estellelilym on X and @estelleatkinsonreports on Instagram.