Stephanie Itkin-Goodman, a Democrat, and Patrick Michael Murphy, a Republican, are competing for the Clark County Public Administrator position after securing their party's nominations with 65% and 66% of the vote, respectively. Both candidates advocate for the role to be nonpartisan or appointed, rather than elected, especially in large counties like Clark and Washoe.
Itkin-Goodman, who is new to Nevada, emphasizes her legal expertise. Her prior experience includes just under two years in a New York City district attorney’s office and private practice. Currently, she serves as a deputy attorney general, advising various regulatory boards, including the Private Investigator’s Licensing Board (PILB). The PILB drew legislative scrutiny this summer after proposing a regulation for eight hours of training for security guards carrying rifles and shotguns. Lawmakers observed that Nevada law does not allow security guards to carry such weapons. Senator Rochelle Nguyen raised questions regarding the deputy attorney general advising the board. Itkin-Goodman did not respond to inquiries about her review of the proposed regulation, later explaining that she provides legal advice but cannot mandate its acceptance by the PILB. Her opponent, Murphy, characterized her response, stating that "publicly she’s kind of punted." Itkin-Goodman asserts that her legal qualifications and commitment to transparency and accountability make her the best choice for the office, highlighting her career spent navigating complex legal matters, protecting vulnerable individuals, and ensuring accountability.
Murphy brings extensive experience in Clark County government and public safety. He was the appointed Clark County coroner from 2002 to 2015, leading an office that served as the inspiration for the "CSI" television program. He is known for stepping in to lead agencies facing difficulties, such as the Clark County Division of Juvenile Justice, which he ran concurrently with his coroner duties. Murphy notes that his time as coroner, during which his office handled public administrator duties for overnight cases due to budget cuts between 2008 and 2015, provided him with direct knowledge of the public administrator's operations. He also served as Clark County’s legislative lobbyist in 2013 and 2015. Murphy's career began in Southern Nevada in 1980 with the Boulder City Police Department, followed by a decade as Mesquite’s Chief of Police, and subsequent roles with the City of Las Vegas Detention and Enforcement. After retiring in 2015 and working for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in Washington, D.C., Murphy returned to Clark County in 2020 to reassume the coroner position during a time of early retirement. In 2022, Clark County hired Murphy to stabilize the Public Administrator’s office following a scandal involving then-Public Administrator Rob Telles. Murphy states he seeks the opportunity to finish what he started in that office. He contends that the office's chief executive needs a background in business and leadership capabilities, drawing a parallel to his 14 years leading the coroner’s office without a medical degree. Murphy also noted surprise at the minimal prerequisites for candidates, stating that one can run for office by paying a fee. If elected, he proposes to implement bodycams for investigators and a system to barcode inventory in the field, citing a recent case where nearly $200,000 in cash and hundreds of weapons were discovered, prompting integrity concerns.
Both candidates prioritize increasing community outreach to help reduce the number of individuals who die without a will. As of October 15, campaign finance reports show Itkin-Goodman raised $41,000 and had approximately $13,000 on hand. Her endorsements include Culinary Local 226, SEIU Nevada, IATSE 720, Southern Nevada Building Trades Union, National Organization for Women (NOW), Make the Road, and PLAN Action. Murphy had raised close to $87,000 and maintained approximately $26,000 in the bank by the same date. His endorsements include over a dozen law enforcement associations, such as the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers, Clark County Firefighters, Juvenile Justice Probation Officers, several veterans organizations, and Ironworkers Local 433. Murphy advises voters against relying solely on party affiliation for down-ballot races if they are unfamiliar with the candidates.
