Fifth District Judge Kim Wanker to host Pahrump campaign kickoff

Fifth Judicial District Judge Kimberly “Kim” Wanker will hold a campaign kickoff reception in Pahrump on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 9–11 a.m. at Our Place Coffee, 1401 S. Highway 160, Suite B. The event offers residents across Nye County an opportunity to meet the judge, ask questions, and hear about her priorities as she seeks continued service on the bench.

Wanker was appointed to the bench in 2011 and serves the Fifth Judicial District, which includes Pahrump, Tonopah, Fish Lake Valley, Goldfield, Railroad Valley, and Gabbs. The reception is being positioned as a community-facing event intended to underscore her commitment to representing the distinct needs of both the valley and rural mining communities that make up the district.

For local residents, especially those who travel long distances to access court services, the kickoff is a practical chance to raise concerns about access to justice, case backlogs, and how the district court balances urban and rural demands. Pahrump functions as a regional hub for many county services; holding the reception at a neighborhood coffee shop reflects a grassroots approach to outreach that some voters in the district value.

The timing and location make the event accessible for working residents and those who commute along Highway 160. Community members who wish to attend are asked to RSVP or register interest by emailing retainjudgekim@gmail.com. The two-hour window is intended for brief remarks and informal conversation rather than formal presentations, allowing attendees to speak one-on-one with the judge and her supporters.

Wanker’s tenure since 2011 gives her experience presiding over a range of cases across a geographically broad district. Her campaign kickoff signals a bid to maintain continuity on the bench and to keep a judicial presence attuned to the mixed priorities of Nye County’s desert communities and small towns. Local attorneys, court staff, and civic leaders often point to continuity on the bench as a stabilizing factor for courtroom scheduling and case management, matters that directly affect residents awaiting hearings or navigating the legal system.

As the campaign season moves forward, this reception will be the first public opportunity in Pahrump for voters in the Fifth Judicial District to engage with Wanker in person. Attending residents should expect an informal setting focused on conversation; those unable to attend can contact the campaign at retainjudgekim@gmail.com for further information. The event will likely set the tone for outreach across Tonopah, Goldfield, and other communities in the months ahead, shaping how judicial issues are discussed locally.