Court: No mayor runs for termed council members

The Nevada Supreme Court says termed out members of the Reno City Council cannot run for mayor.

In a 5-2 decision issued Thursday, justices granted a petition by Reno businessman and mayoral candidate George “Eddie” Lorton, who argued council members who are termed out are ineligible to serve on the same governing body as mayor.

The court’s decision means former Councilwoman Jessica Sferrazza and current Councilman Dwight Dortch cannot seek to replace longtime Mayor Bob Cashell in this year’s election. Both have been raising money and organizing their campaigns.

In the majority opinion written by Justice James Hardesty, the court determined that the Reno mayor is a member of a local governing body and that council members who’ve served 12 years are ineligible for mayor.