Family Court Judge Mary Perry is campaigning for re-election after agreeing in 2024 to a public censure for her actions while on the bench. She is challenged by attorney Jennifer Isso, who also faced discipline from the State Bar of Nevada, with her suspension stayed by the Nevada Supreme Court, allowing her to run for the judicial seat.
Perry, who was first elected in 2020 and hears child custody and divorce cases, was cited by the Judicial Discipline Commission (JDC) in two court cases. The JDC noted Perry displayed “a needlessly disrespectful tone of voice, obvious changes in her mood, the use of profanity, personally demeaning comments about the litigants, and generally, her overall demeanor and lack of professional decorum to all litigants.” Videos showing Perry yelling at litigants have circulated on social media.
In the Las Vegas Review Journal’s Judging the Judges survey, only 35% of 97 evaluating attorneys recommended Perry be retained. Additionally, her rulings have been found in error in 11 out of 16 appealed cases, according to Our Nevada Judges, a website tracking the state’s judiciary.
Perry, an Air Force veteran and a member of UNLV Boyd School of Law’s charter class, attributed some of these perceptions to her direct communication style. She stated, "I attribute a lot of it to my being abrupt," and explained that her military experience taught her to speak straightforwardly to ensure clarity. Perry also noted her willingness to make judgment calls in areas lacking specific guidance. She believes her "learning curve is picking up a lot" and that she has moved past the initial phase of learning new procedures.
Her opponent, Jennifer Isso, obtained her law degree from UNLV’s Boyd School of Law. The Nevada Supreme Court approved a recommendation from the Nevada Bar for Isso's suspension, but subsequently stayed the discipline for 18 months, placing her on probation with several conditions. The court's order noted that Isso admitted to "failing to demonstrate respect for the court, witnesses, opposing litigants, and opposing counsel." She also admitted to making false statements or statements made with reckless disregard for the truth regarding Judges Stephanie Charter, Mari Parlade, and then-Judge Paul Gaudet, who now runs under the name Michel Gaudet. State Bar Counsel Dan Hooge indicated that if Isso meets her probation conditions, she will not serve the suspension.
Isso is also the subject of videos on social media. In one undated YouTube video, she appears visibly upset during a court hearing. Isso explained that she "was visibly upset in that particular hearing" after a judge sanctioned her client. She described herself as "very direct, very honest, and I’m willing to challenge authority," stating she acts as an advocate rather than causing controversy. Isso noted this video was posted by Steve Sanson of Veterans in Politics after she filed her candidacy.
In terms of campaign finances, Judge Perry raised approximately $101,000 through the third quarter, with just under $16,000 remaining. Her website lists endorsements from various organizations, including the Western States Carpenters, the Clark County Deputy Marshals Association, SEIU Nevada, Culinary Local 226, Hispanics in Politics, and the Asian American Group. Perry is also endorsed by the Third Branch PAC, which, while stating it is bipartisan, is funded solely by the Nevada Republican Club. Judicial races in Nevada are nonpartisan.
In contrast, Isso reported raising no money and being $1,938 in debt for the third quarter, with no endorsements listed on her website. Perry has paid more than $2,000 to Veterans in Politics for advertising and over $12,000 since July to Veterans in Politics International, a consulting company owned by Steve Sanson and Stephanie Phillips. Perry is also endorsed by Veterans in Politics.
