Hardesty, Adams possible Sandoval replacements

RENO, Nev. - Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice James Hardesty, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and Washoe District Judge Brent Adams are among the names surfacing as possible replacements for U.S. District Judge Brian Sandoval.

Sandoval announced his resignation last week and is believed to be considering challenging Gov. Jim Gibbons in a Republican primary next year.

Nevada Sens. Harry Reid John Ensign have not said who they might be considering to recommend for the post to President Obama, who will make the formal nomination of a candidate to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

But historically nominees to the U.S. District Court in Reno have come from northern Nevada, which makes Hardesty and Adams contenders for the job. Both are Democrats as is Cortez Masto.