You’re scrolling through a Nevada ballot, and you see names like Amy Ferreira. You're looking for that little (D) or (R) next to the name because, honestly, that’s how most of us filter our choices these days. But for Amy Ferreira in Las Vegas, that letter isn't there.
It’s confusing.
If you've been searching for the Amy Ferreira Las Vegas political party affiliation, you’ve likely run into a bit of a wall. That’s because, in the world of Nevada’s judiciary, the rules are just... different.
The Nonpartisan Reality of the 2024 Race
Here’s the deal: Amy Ferreira ran for the Las Vegas Township Justice Court Department 8 in 2024. In Nevada, judicial races are strictly nonpartisan.
This means candidates don't run as Democrats or Republicans. They don't have a party platform they’re forced to stick to. They aren't funded by the big national party machines in the same way a Senator or Governor might be.
Basically, the "party" you're looking for doesn't exist on paper.
Ferreira faced off against Nancy Bernstein in a race that ended up being incredibly tight. We're talking razor-thin. Bernstein took 50.1% of the vote, while Ferreira followed with 49.9%. When the dust settled, only about 1,200 votes separated them out of over half a million cast.
It's wild. One percent of a percentage point.
📖 Related: Sweden School Shooting 2025: What Really Happened at Campus Risbergska
Why the "Party" Question Still Comes Up
People still want to know "which side" a judge is on. It's human nature. Even though the seat is nonpartisan, voters look for clues in endorsements.
If you look at who backed her, the list is a bit of a mix, which is common for judicial officers who want to show broad appeal. She had support from:
- The Public Safety Alliance of Nevada (which represents thousands of law enforcement officers).
- Various firefighter unions.
- Groups like Nevada NOW and the NV Democratic Veterans and Military Families Caucus.
Wait—did you catch that last one?
Having a "Democratic Veterans" caucus endorse you might lead some to think she leans left. But then you see the heavy law enforcement backing, which often swings right. This is exactly why judicial races are nonpartisan; it’s supposed to be about the law, not the label.
Who Is Amy Ferreira, Anyway?
Before she was a name on a ballot, Ferreira was already deep in the Las Vegas legal system. She didn't just drop into the race from nowhere.
She's been a Hearing Master for the Las Vegas Justice Court since 2020. Think of a Hearing Master as a "junior judge" who handles specific dockets like evictions, traffic, and initial appearances. She was even named the 2022 Employee of the Year for the court.
Before that? She spent 13 years as a prosecutor.
👉 See also: Will Palestine Ever Be Free: What Most People Get Wrong
The Animal Cruelty Connection
One thing that makes Ferreira's career stand out is her work with the Clark County District Attorney’s Office. She actually founded the first Animal Cruelty Unit there.
If you're a pet owner in Vegas, you might have heard her name back then. She was prosecuting child sexual assault cases in the Special Victims Unit while simultaneously heading up animal abuse cases. It’s a heavy, intense line of work.
She often talks about her "rescue farm" filled with animals. It’s not just a campaign talking point; it seems to be her actual life.
The Controversies That Bubbled Up
No political campaign in Las Vegas stays clean forever. During the 2024 election, some pushback emerged regarding her time as a Hearing Master.
Specifically, critics pointed to her handling of the eviction docket during and after the pandemic. In a piece by The Nevada Independent, some legal observers and public defenders voiced concerns about her "judicial temperament." There were claims that she was too quick to evict or lacked empathy for those losing their homes.
On the flip side, her supporters argued she was simply following the law.
In a courtroom, you have to be precise. If the law says an eviction is valid, the judge has to sign it. That’s the "unwavering dedication to justice" she frequently mentioned in her campaign materials. But in the court of public opinion, those decisions look a lot different than they do on a legal brief.
✨ Don't miss: JD Vance River Raised Controversy: What Really Happened in Ohio
Comparing the Candidates
To understand why the Amy Ferreira Las Vegas political party search is so common, you have to look at her opponent, Nancy Bernstein.
Bernstein won. Barely.
Both women had deep roots in the community. Both claimed to be the more "qualified" choice. But while Ferreira leaned on her experience as a Hearing Master and prosecutor, Bernstein brought a background in criminal defense and personal injury.
It was a classic "prosecutor vs. defense attorney" matchup, even if the labels weren't officially on the ballot.
What’s Next for Ferreira?
Losing a race by 0.2% is the kind of thing that keeps a person in politics. You don't get that close and just disappear.
Currently, she remains a Hearing Master. She is still a fixture in the Las Vegas Justice Court. Because she didn't run under a specific party banner, she isn't "beholden" to a GOP or Democratic leadership for her next move.
If she decides to run again—and many in Vegas expect she will—she’ll likely stick to that same "tough on crime, dedicated to safety" platform that nearly won her the seat in 2024.
Actionable Insights for Nevada Voters
If you are trying to vet judicial candidates like Amy Ferreira in the future, don't look for a party. It won't help you. Instead, do this:
- Check the "Retain or Replace" polls: The Las Vegas Review-Journal often runs "Judging the Judges" surveys where attorneys rate the performance of sitting judges and hearing masters.
- Look at the donors: Go to the Nevada Secretary of State’s website (SilverFlume) and look at the "Contributions and Expenses" (C&E) reports. If a candidate is funded mostly by casinos, developers, or police unions, that tells you more than a party label ever will.
- Read the "Candidate Connection" surveys: Sites like Ballotpedia send out questionnaires. Ferreira’s 2024 responses are still live and provide a direct look at her philosophy on community safety and the role of the court.
- Watch a docket: Most Justice Court proceedings are open. You can literally walk into the Regional Justice Center and watch a Hearing Master work. It’s the best way to see if their "temperament" matches what you want in a judge.
The takeaway? Amy Ferreira doesn't have a political party because the law says she shouldn't. In the nonpartisan world of Clark County courts, your best bet is to ignore the "D" or "R" and look at the track record instead.