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Howard McGillin Jr.
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Howard O. McGillin Jr. is a judge for the Florida 7th Circuit Court. He was appointed to the court by Governor Rick Scott (R) on November 18, 2014. He won election to a full term in the primary election on August 30, 2016.[1]
Biography
McGillin earned his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy and his J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law. He served in the United States Army for 24 years achieving the rank of Colonel.[1]
Prior to his appointment, McGillin was the founder of Allegiance Law Group from 2000 to 2014. He had worked as a deputy staff judge advocate in the army from 1998 to 2000, as well as serving as the deputy director of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Generals School's Academic Department from 1994 to 1997. From 1989 to 1994, he worked in the office of the Staff Judge Advocate.[1]
Elections
2016
Florida's 20 circuit courts all had seats up for election in 2016. Of the 151 seats up for election, 125 saw only one candidate file for the election. The unopposed races were canceled and the sole candidates were automatically elected. Of the 26 opposed races, only 10 saw more than two candidates file. Candidates who received a majority of votes cast in the primary election on August 30, 2016, won the race and did not advance to the general election. Races where no candidate receives 50 percent plus one of the votes cast required a general election on November 8, 2016, between the top two primary vote recipients. Incumbent Howard McGillin Jr. defeated Linda Gaustad in the Group 17 primary election for Florida's 7th Circuit Court.[2]
| Florida 7th Circuit Court, Group 17 Primary Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Howard McGillin Jr. Incumbent |
54.22% | 75,658 |
| Linda Gaustad | 45.78% | 63,893 |
| Total Votes | 139,551 | |
| Source: Florida Department of State Division of Elections, "August 30, 2016 Primary Election," accessed December 19, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan elections
There are 597 judges on the Florida Circuit Court, each elected via nonpartisan elections. They serve six-year terms, after which they must run for re-election if they wish to retain their seat.[3]
The chief judge is selected by peer vote and serves in that capacity for two years.
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:[3]
- a qualified elector;
- a state resident;
- admitted to practice law in the state for five years; and
- under the age of 75 (retirement at 75 is mandatory).
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Florida Governor, "Governor Scott Appoints Howard O. McGillin, Jr. to the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court," November 18, 2014
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidate Listing for 2016 General Election," accessed July 5, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial selection: Florida," archived October 2, 2014
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
