Albritton, Thompson compete for Henderson Municipal Court seat

The race for Henderson Municipal Court Department 1 has narrowed to incumbent Judge Alicia Albritton and attorney Gary Thompson, both of whom advanced from the June primary to the Nov. 3 general‑election ballot. Albritton, who was appointed to the seat in 2022, received 21,725 votes in the primary, while Thompson garnered 15,756 votes. Municipal court judges in Nevada serve six‑year terms. Unlike county‑run justice courts, municipal courts are operated by cities and adjudicate misdemeanors, traffic violations and violations of municipal ordinances. Before taking the bench, Albritton spent 16 years as a Clark County prosecutor. During a Sept. 4 interview she stated, ““I person lived and breathed successful a courtroom for my 20-year nationalist work career,” Albritton said. “It’s not conscionable the judicial acquisition that sets maine apart, but it’s besides that proceedings and that courtroom experience.”” She added that she wishes to continue serving because she enjoys working with the community. Thompson, a justice pro tem for Henderson and Las Vegas municipal courts, said in a Sept. 11 interview that he has practiced law for more than 30 years. He unsuccessfully challenged Judge Mark Stevens—Albritton’s predecessor—in 2013 and later ran unsuccessfully for Henderson Justice Court in 2024. While he respects Albritton’s record, Thompson argues that his broader experience makes him the stronger candidate. He remarked, ““I consciousness similar successful my career, I’m not done,” Thompson said. “I consciousness similar this is work to my assemblage successful an country that I thatch and practice, and I tin decorativeness up my vocation successful the assemblage that I emotion and beryllium of work successful the champion mode I deliberation I can.”” Albritton oversees the Henderson Veterans Treatment Court, a program for former military members diagnosed with post‑traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury who have been charged with misdemeanor offenses. She also referenced the ABC Drug Treatment Court, led by Henderson Municipal Court Department 2 Judge Jeremy Cooley, as a means to connect individuals needing mental‑health or substance‑use services with appropriate care. ““We’re trying to place the radical that request the assistance and who we tin help,” Albritton said. “It is usually their archetypal interactions successful the transgression justness system.”” Her campaign website lists endorsements from the Henderson Police Officers Association, Henderson Professional Firefighters Local 1883, Laborers Local 872 and the Nevada Veterans Association. Thompson’s site notes support from Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, Service Employees International Union Local 1107 and the Nevada Veterans Council. If elected, Thompson said he would not act as an advocate for defendants but would devote time to explaining their legal options and steering them away from unnecessary harm. He explained, ““You privation to marque definite that they recognize their options, and I’d effort to springiness arsenic overmuch guidance that is not giving them ineligible advice,” Thompson said. “There’s a definite magnitude of respect and kindness and compassion to that you request to person up there.””