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Diana Gonzalez-Whyte
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2031
Diana Gonzalez-Whyte is a judge of the Miami-Dade County Court in Florida. Her current term ends on January 7, 2031.
Gonzalez-Whyte won re-election for judge of the Miami-Dade County Court in Florida outright in the general election on November 5, 2024, after the primary and general election were canceled.
Gonzalez-Whyte was the first Colombian-American person to be elected judge in Florida.[1]
Biography
Education
Gonzalez-Whyte received a B.A. in sociology from Northeastern University in Boston, and a J.D. from the St. Thomas University School of Law.[1][2]
Career
Before becoming a judge, Gonzalez-Whyte practiced law at private firms, specializing in family law, domestic violence, and immigration cases. She has also worked as an assistant public defender in Miami-Dade County.[3]
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Miami-Dade County, Florida (2024)
General election
The general election was canceled. Diana Gonzalez-Whyte (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Gonzalez-Whyte in this election.
2018
General election
General election for Miami-Dade County Court
Incumbent Diana Gonzalez-Whyte won election in the general election for Miami-Dade County Court on November 6, 2018.
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| ✔ | Diana Gonzalez-Whyte (Nonpartisan) | |
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Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan elections
Like the circuit courts, the Florida County Court selects its judges through nonpartisan elections. County judges serve six-year terms, after which they must run for re-election if they wish to retain their seats.[4][5]
In the event of a midterm vacancy, the county courts employ the same assisted appointment method that the appellate courts use. Judges selected this way serve for at least one year, after which they must run for re-election.[6]
Qualifications
To serve on one of these courts, a judge must be:
- a qualified elector;
- a state resident;
- under the age of 75; and
- admitted to practice law in the state for five years prior to assuming the bench.
Note that this final requirement—that judges be qualified to practice law in the state for at least five years—is the one piece that breaks from the qualifications of Florida appellate judges, who need a minimum of 10 years. In counties of 40,000 people or fewer, this requirement is waived altogether.[4]
2012
Gonzalez-Whyte ran for election to the Miami-Dade County Court on August 14, 2012. She defeated incumbent Judge Ana M. Pando with 50.8 percent of the vote.[7]
- See also: Florida judicial elections, 2012
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Diana Gonzalez-Whyte did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2012
Approach to the law
Gonzalez-Whyte was quoted as saying on her campaign website:
| “ | I know we have the best legal system in the world and want to help preserve it ... One way [to preserve our system of justice] is by electing judges who will follow the law, who will be fair, and who are ethical.[2][8] | ” |
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted on Judgepedia's biographical submission form on 9/22/2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ferrer Shane, PL, "Miami Defense Attorney is First Elected Judge of Colombian Descent in U.S.," accessed April 22, 2013
- ↑ The Miami Herald, "The Herald recommends, Our Opinion: For Broward, Miami-Dade County courts," July 9, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Florida; Limited Jurisdiction Courts," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Online Sunshine, "The Florida Constitution," accessed June 25, 2014
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial selection: Florida," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections: 2012 Candidates
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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
