Voters in Clark County will decide between incumbent Judge Veronica Barisich and challenger Tracy Hibbetts for the Clark County District Court Department 5 seat. Early voting is set to begin on Saturday, Oct. 17, leading up to Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Hibbetts, a prosecutor making her second bid for the bench, stated she chose to challenge Barisich for several reasons, including the incumbent’s "high reversal rate on appeal." Data from Our Nevada Judges, an organization that tracks judicial information, indicates that appeals courts found Barisich to be in error one-third of the time out of 52 cases appealed during her first term.
Barisich addressed the reversals, explaining that an appeal provides an opportunity to learn. She noted that if her decision and analysis were correct, it becomes "fermented," while if it was partially incorrect, insights into the law are gained. She added that some cases involve issues of first impression lacking specific case law, making received case law "very valuable." Barisich described being a judge as "always a learning experience."
Judge Barisich is seeking her second term. Admitted to the Nevada Bar since 2005, she attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan. Reflecting on her first term, Barisich told the Current that the most unexpected aspect has been the caseload. Her docket has been entirely civil, encompassing two specialty courts: medical malpractice and probate. She is one of nine medical malpractice judges and one of only three probate judges. Barisich expressed surprise at the sheer volume of cases she has been given and managed, stating she reads "everything that comes through the door."
A survey conducted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal for its Judging the Judges 2025 survey included evaluations from 145 attorneys. Of these, 73% recommended Barisich be retained. Her performance received highest scores for integrity, while her lowest scores were for legal ability. Barisich noted that she did not find the feedback helpful, as she was not provided with the comments. She stated she was "here to do my job," adding that she continuously strives for improvement.
Hibbetts earned her law degree at California Western School of Law and has been a member of the Nevada Bar since 2012. Her current challenge marks her second run for a judicial seat, having previously placed third in a four-way primary race in 2022 for Las Vegas Justice Court Department 6. Since her prior campaign, Hibbetts transitioned from a public defender role to become a prosecutor. She stated this move has provided her with "a more well-rounded understanding of the criminal justice arena." While her experience primarily lies in criminal law, having worked for civil firms before law school, the Department 5 seat she is seeking primarily handles civil cases.
Hibbetts pointed out that each department’s assignment is not permanent, but rather based on the person elected into the seat. She explained that if she were elected, she would not necessarily inherit an all-civil docket. She added that judicial candidates "jump in knowing that you may have to do something" outside their primary field.
Hibbetts is registered as nonpartisan and emphasizes that judicial candidates should remain neutral. Her husband, Brian, is a retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police sergeant and a Republican state assemblyman. Hibbetts commented that it would be "silly to say that we don’t talk about work at home." She noted their different party affiliations, underscoring her belief that judicial candidates should remain neutral. Beyond her legal career, Hibbetts serves on the board of the Clark County Law Foundation and the Asian Bar Association of Nevada, in addition to her community volunteering.
As of July, Judge Barisich had raised $317,000 and held $245,000 on hand. Her endorsements include a dozen law enforcement associations, various labor unions such as Laborers 872, SEIU Nevada, Southern Nevada Building Trades, and Teamsters Nevada, as well as community organizations like Independent Black Voters and Hispanics in Politics. She is also endorsed by the Third Branch PAC, an organization funded solely by the Nevada Republican Club, which describes itself as nonpartisan. Hibbetts, also as of July, reported raising $142,000 with $128,000 on hand. She noted that fundraising for District Court is generally easier due to the higher number of civil law attorneys practicing there. Her list of endorsements includes Culinary Local 226, the Southern Nevada Building Trades Union, and several law enforcement associations, including the Clark County Prosecutors Association, the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers, and the Clark County District Attorney Investigators Association.
The election will culminate on Tuesday, Nov. 3, following the start of early voting on Saturday, Oct. 17.
