Craig McCarthy
2022 - Present
2031
3
Craig McCarthy is a judge of the Florida 9th Circuit Court. He assumed office in 2022. His current term ends on January 7, 2031.
McCarthy won re-election for judge of the Florida 9th Circuit Court outright in the primary on August 20, 2024, after the general election was canceled.
McCarthy completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
McCarthy was appointed to the court on July 11, 2022, by Governor Ron DeSantis (R) to replace Bob LeBlanc.[1]
Biography
Education
McCarthy received his bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy (West Point) and his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law.
Career
He was a former field artillery officer of United States Army on active duty from 1989 to 1992 and on reserve from 1992 to 2003. From 1999 to 2001, he was the Soil and Water District Supervisor and Chair for Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District. McCarthy worked in private practice for 16 years prior to being appointed in 2021 as a General Magistrate of the Florida 9th Circuit Court by then-Chief Judge Donald A. Myers, Jr.[2][1]
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Orange County, Florida (2024)
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Florida 9th Circuit Court
Incumbent Craig McCarthy won election outright against Stephen Brown in the primary for Florida 9th Circuit Court on August 20, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Craig McCarthy (Nonpartisan)  | 51.3 | 83,145 |
 | Stephen Brown (Nonpartisan) | 48.7 | 78,939 | |
| Total votes: 162,084 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
To view McCarthy's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for McCarthy in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Craig McCarthy completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McCarthy's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- The rule of law is both very precious and very fragile. Judge McCarthy was assigned to the Berlin Brigade and stationed at McNair Barracks, Berlin, when that city was still divided with a democratic government in the West and a totalitarian system in the East. Then Lieutenant McCarthy spoke with many Germans on both sides of the Wall and came to appreciate how much the rule of law is necessary for people to flourish and have an avenue to seek redress of their grievances. Judge McCarthy thinks of this often and is keenly aware of his responsibility as a judge to strengthen and preserve the rule of law, every day.
- The courts are not to designed to, nor are they well equipped to, set public policy. The principle of separation of powers requires that judges only apply the law and not seek to make the law. Particularly at the trial court level where Judge McCarthy works, the judge's responsibility is to settle the dispute(s) between the individuals before him or her according to the law.
- Judge McCarthy feels and understands his responsibility to ensure that everyone who appears before him knows that he or she is fully heard, all the evidence carefully reviewed, and every argument considered. Judge McCarthy believes that a calm and respectful judicial demeanor is essential, and he concentrates on extending courtesy and dignity to the parties, attorneys, court staff, witnesses, and all others in the courtroom.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida
State courts:
Florida Supreme Court • Florida District Courts of Appeal • Florida Circuit Court • Florida County Court
State resources:
Courts in Florida • Florida judicial elections • Judicial selection in Florida
