Florida judicial election recap, 2012
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November 20, 2012
Florida: This year, Florida Supreme Court justices Barbara Pariente, Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince encountered heavy opposition to their retentions from conservatives who claimed that they were too "activist" in their rulings. However, the judges prevailed, and were all retained with approximately 67-68 percent of votes in their favor.
In the District Courts of Appeal, all 15 judges running for retention across four districts were successful.
On the trial court level, which includes the Circuit and County courts, many races had been decided in the Aug. 14, 2012 primary. Some new judges (non-incumbents) elected in the Circuit Courts this November include: Barbara Hobbs in the 2nd Circuit, Wes Douglas in the 3rd Circuit, Leticia Marques in the 9th Circuit and William Sites in the 10th Circuit. Additionally, a close race in the 17th Circuit between Laura Marie Watson and Julio E. Gonzalez, Jr., showed Watson in the lead with 50.9 percent of the vote, though we are waiting for official results to be certified before we deem it a true victory.
The County Courts saw some competition, such as Jim McGarity defeating incumbent Eugene C. Turner for the Collier County Court seat. Turner is a veteran judge who has served on the court since 1983.
In Flagler County, candidate Craig Atack was unsuccessful in succeeding his mother, retiring Judge Sharon B. Atack. His father also served on that court previously. However, Melissa Moore Stens broke the family tradition by defeating Atack with 51.1 percent of the vote.
The other non-incumbents who won new jobs on the County Court this fall were: Stephen R. Koons (Brevard County), Olga M. Levine (Broward County), Jim McGarity (Collier County), Michelle Kalil (Duval County), Frank I. Grey (Pasco County), Joe Boatwright II (Putnam County), Debra L. Krause (Seminole County), Bill Blue (Taylor County), Bo Bayer (Union County) and Christopher Kelly (Volusia County.
See also
- Florida judicial elections, 2012
- Florida judicial elections, 2012 - Circuit Court
- Florida judicial elections, 2012 - County Court
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