Lenora Easter

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Lenora Easter

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 20, 2024

Education

High school

Saint Catherine High School

Bachelor's

University of Central Florida

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Lenora Easter (Democratic Party) ran for election for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit Public Defender. She lost in the Democratic primary on August 20, 2024.

Easter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Lenora Easter earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida. Her career experience includes working as a attorney.

Elections

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Orange County, Florida (2024)

General election

The general election was canceled. Melissa Vickers won election in the general election for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit Public Defender.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit Public Defender

Melissa Vickers defeated Lenora Easter in the Democratic primary for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit Public Defender on August 20, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melissa Vickers	64.5	97,175
		Lenora Easter	35.5	53,526

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 150,701
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

To view Easter's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Easter in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Lenora Easter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Easter's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a public defense leader, I have 15 years of local and national experience. At the Ninth Circuit Public Defender's Office, I represented hundreds of indigent adults and juveniles, in all phases of the criminal legal system in Florida state court. I participated in over 30 jury trials and effectively managed a caseload of over 100 cases, representing thousands of clients. I co-authored a training manual for incoming new attorneys to provide rules, procedures, and techniques to help navigate the court system.

I gained extraordinary leadership experience as Supervisor and Team Leader of the Early Defense Team (which I created and led) for the Bronx Defenders' Criminal Defense Practice. l lobbied in Albany for key laws and testified in front of the NY City Council on timely issues like the use of police body worn cameras.

I am currently the Regional Director a National Non-Profit, Partners for Justice (PFJ). PFJ"s mission is to transform public defense at scale. I travel across the nation training and working alongside Public Defenders, attorneys, supervisors, and client advocates to empower their approach to public defense.

I am running for Orange and Osceola Public Defender because the Public Defender is the primary guardian of our rights.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Collaborative defense begins with a commitment to addressing clients' most pressing legal needs in many aspects. Every client deserves an attorney that will listen to their individual needs and develop creative solutions and defenses that address the complex web of legal issues that can arise from justice invovlement. I am committed to being a champion for collaborative defense by creating a holistic unit comprised of social workers, advocates, investigators, and interns to support assistant public defenders withe the wrap-around needs of clients.
• I will creat a policy department that will focus on legislative matters that affect our young adults and adults.
• Effective advocacy in the courtroom continues with authentic community engagement. I am committed to being out in the neighborhood, meeting community members and listening to issues on the ground, deepening relationships with key stakeholders and building trust along the way.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am dedicated to advocating for the constitutional rights of clients during some of the most challenging times of their lives.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

We are the defenders of the indigent. We operate in an adversarial systems and all defendants are entitled to an attorney who will effectively advocate on their behalf.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity and dedication is key to being an effective official.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My innovation and leadership qualities, exemplified by co-authoring training manuals for new attorneys, creating the Early Team unit with the Bronx Defenders, and my work with Partners For Justice, make me the best choice for this office.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of the Public Defender is to be the primary guardian of our constitutional rights.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Being a champion of defendant's consitutional rights and providing wrap-arounds services to get at the root cause of issues is an important responsibility of the Public Defender.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Attorneys for this office ensure that consitutional rights are protected.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, it is beneficial to have previous experience in government as I have as an Assistant Public Defender for this office, as a Early Team supervisor with the Bronx Defenders, and as a leader with Partners for Justice.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Strong advocacy skills with a holistic outlook.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The incumbent Public Defender, Robert "Bob" Wesley, has endorsed me along with a slew of other organizations and individuals.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The budget and financials of any state office should be transparent and accountable to the taxpayers.

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

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Candidate

Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit Public Defender

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