Caston Leads Longtime Judge Henderson as Early Returns Come In for Clark County Family Court Seats

What happened

Clark County voters chose judges in several contested Family Court races, and early Wednesday returns favored a mix of incumbents and challengers, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. One longtime judge trailed a challenger. A judge with a disciplinary history appeared on track to keep her seat. The races are part of wider election coverage, which also includes early counts in the Clark County Commission races.

According to the Review-Journal, many Family Court candidates ran unopposed, as was also true in Clark County District Court. The contested races included incumbents trying to keep their seats and open seats with no incumbent.

Incumbents facing challengers

Department P: Perry vs. Isso

Incumbent Judge Mary Perry, who the Review-Journal said was publicly censured by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, placed second-lowest on the newspaper's 2025 Judicial Performance Evaluation. Only 35.1 percent of attorneys who gave anonymous feedback said she should stay on the bench.

Her opponent, attorney Jennifer Isso, received a stayed suspension of her law license in April after several judges referred her for discipline. She was ordered to get training on substance abuse and mental health issues. The Review-Journal noted that both candidates have been criticized for their courtroom behavior, including shouting during hearings. Perry led with 52.9 percent of the vote early Wednesday.

Department R: Henderson vs. Caston

Attorney Marilyn Caston led a three-way primary earlier this year but did not get enough votes to win outright. She then challenged longtime Judge Bill Henderson, who had no opponent when he ran for re-election in 2020 or 2014.

Henderson presided over the custody case between Dylan Houston and Ashley Prince. The Review-Journal reported that the case led to a deadly law office shooting in 2024. His retention rating in the newspaper's evaluation fell 22 percentage points to 50.5 percent in 2025. Early Wednesday, Caston led with 60.33 percent of the vote.

Department E: Hoskin vs. Treffinger

Judge Charles Hoskin has held the Department E seat since 2009. His challenger was attorney Timothy Treffinger, whom the Review-Journal described as a former Republican candidate for district attorney. Hoskin led with 70.26 percent of the vote early Wednesday.

Two open seats

Department D

This seat opened when Family Court Judge Robert Teuton retired. Attorney Patricia Marr ran against Gwynneth Smith, a chief deputy district attorney who handles cases involving children. Smith led with 56.8 percent of the vote early Wednesday, the Review-Journal reported.

Department S

Attorney Kristine Brewer faced Hearing Master Randall Forman for the open Department S seat. According to the Review-Journal, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection previously declined to recommend Brewer for the post. She led with 54.3 percent early Wednesday.

An unusual ballot name in Department N

In Department N, candidate Paul Michel Gaudet chose to appear on the ballot under his middle name, "Michel." The Review-Journal reported that he suggested this was an attempt to gain the boost female candidates often get in Clark County judicial contests. Gaudet lost this seat in 2024 to the current incumbent, Judge Kerri Maxey. The Review-Journal's early Wednesday report did not include vote totals for this race.

What to watch next

• Whether Judge Mary Perry's 52.9 percent lead in Department P holds. The Review-Journal said early Wednesday that she appeared on track to win.
• The final result in Department R, where Marilyn Caston led Judge Bill Henderson with 60.33 percent early Wednesday.
• Vote totals in Department N, which were not included in the Review-Journal's early Wednesday report.
• Final counts in the open Department D and Department S races, where Gwynneth Smith and Kristine Brewer held early leads.