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State attorney election in Orange County, Florida (2024)
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← 2022
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| 2024 Orange County elections |
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| Election dates |
| Filing deadline: April 26, 2024 & June 14, 2024 |
| Primary election: August 20, 2024 General election: November 5, 2024 |
| Election stats |
| Offices up: clerk of courts, comptroller, property appraiser, public defender, sheriff, state attorney, supervisor of elections, tax collector, county commission, soil and water conservation district, circuit court judges, and county court judges |
| Election type: Partisan and nonpartisan |
| Other municipal elections |
| U.S. municipal elections, 2024 |
Former state attorney Monique Worrell (D) defeated incumbent Andrew Bain (independent) in the general election for Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney, which encompasses all of Orange County, Florida, on November 5, 2024.
The election took place after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) removed Worrell from office in August 2023 and appointed Bain in her place. DeSantis suspended Worrell, claiming she failed to pursue minimum mandatory sentences for criminals and did not fully prosecute both adults and juveniles who later went on to commit other crimes.[1] The Florida Supreme Court upheld the suspension after Worrell filed a lawsuit in which she claimed DeSantis did not have a legal basis for removing her from office.[2] Worrell said, "This is simply a smokescreen for Ron DeSantis’ failing and disastrous presidential campaign. He needed to get back in the media in some positive way that would be red meat for his base."[1]
Bain received a bachelor's degree from the University of Miami in 2006 and a J.D. from the Florida A&M University College of Law in 2013. Bain worked as a district attorney and assistant state attorney in the Ninth Judicial Circuit before being appointed to fill a vacancy on the Orange County Court in 2020. Following his appointment, Bain served the duration of the term and won election to the seat in 2022.[3] Bain left the court in 2023 after DeSantis appointed him to replace Worrell as the Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney.[3]
On his campaign website, Bain said he would "fight for justice, for the victims, their families and for our neighborhoods. That is what I’m fighting for every day. No one is above the law, and the law should be applied without bias or prejudice."[4] Bain’s campaign website also said during his time in office, he addressed a shortage of experienced prosecutors, implemented the violent crimes unit, handled cases for the violent offenders, reinstated minimum mandatory sentencing for violent offenders, developed community partnerships providing criminal justice solutions, launched diversion programs, and integrated on-site crisis counseling to victims.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
On her campaign website, Worrell said she would prioritize public safety, diligently serve victims, reduce crime and incarceration, and work to improve public trust in the government. Worrell said, "I made a promise to fight crime at its root and to stop the school to prison pipeline that turns hope into despair and turns children into convicted criminals. We are in for a fight against a broken system and those who don’t want it to change. It’s a fight I’m confident we can win."[5]
The Florida ninth circuit state attorney is the chief prosecutor for Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit, which includes Orange County and its incorporated cities, including Orlando. According to the state attorney office’s website, the ninth circuit state attorney "serves the nearly 1.9 million residents of Orange and Osceola counties and many of the 70 million tourists who visit Central Florida every year. Our primary role is to represent the State of Florida in criminal court. Our responsibilities include reviewing criminal investigations, determining charges and prosecuting cases involving felony, misdemeanor, criminal traffic and juvenile delinquency. As the third-largest of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits, the Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office receives roughly 60,000 cases annually from law enforcement."[6]
A state attorney is an official elected to serve as the lead prosecutor for a specific jurisdiction. The office's responsibilities include managing the jurisdiction's prosecutors, setting department-wide guidelines for prosecutors to follow, and direct management of individual high-profile prosecutions. Prosecutors are responsible for deciding whether to bring criminal charges, prosecuting certain cases, and recommending a sentence in the event a defendant is found guilty. This office is equivalent to the positions of district attorney, state's/commonwealth's attorney, county/city attorney, solicitor, circuit attorney, or prosecuting attorney found in other jurisdictions.
Orange County also held elections for clerk of courts, comptroller, property appraiser, public defender, sheriff, state attorney, supervisor of elections, tax collector, county commission, soil and water conservation district, circuit court judges, and county court judges. Click here for more on those elections.
Candidates and election results
General election
General election for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney
Monique Worrell defeated incumbent Andrew Bain in the general election for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Monique Worrell (D) | 57.5 | 413,898 |
 | Andrew Bain (No Party Affiliation)  | 42.5 | 305,870 | |
| Total votes: 719,768 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Seth Hyman (R)
Voting information
What was the voter registration deadline?
- By mail: Received by October 7, 2024.
- Online: October 7, 2024.[7]
What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?
- In-person: October 24, 2024.
- By mail: Received by October 24, 2024.
- Telephone: October 24, 2024.
- Online: October 24, 2024.[8]
What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?
- In-person: 7:00PM on November 5, 2024.
- By mail: Received by 7:00PM November 5, 2024.[8]
Was early voting available to all voters?
Yes.[9]
What were the early voting start and end dates?
Early voting started on October 21, 2024, and ended on November 3, 2024.[10]
Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?
All voters were required to present either a photo ID containing the voter's signature or two forms of ID—one with a photo and a second with a signature—before voting.[11]
When were polls open on Election Day?
Polls opened at 7:00 AM on Election Day and closed at 7:00PM on Election Day.
Candidate comparison
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Party: No Party Affiliation
Incumbent: Yes
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "State Attorney Andrew A. Bain is the chief prosecutor for Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit, which covers Orange and Osceola counties. Appointed in August 2023, Bain is committed to creating a safer community by holding violent offenders accountable and ensuring fair prosecution. With deep roots in community service and a strong commitment to equity, Bain strives to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community, emphasizing transparency and effective administration within the criminal justice system. Born in Fort Lauderdale, Bain grew up with a sense of duty instilled by his pastor father. He graduated from Blanche Ely High School, played football at the University of Miami, and earned a degree in psychology and African American studies with honors. Bain obtained his law degree from Florida A&M University College of Law in 2013. Before his current role, Bain served as an assistant state attorney in the Ninth Judicial Circuit for seven years, was appointed as a judge in June 2020, and held leadership roles with the Legal Aid Society of Osceola County and IDignity Osceola, Inc. He also taught at the Florida A&M University School of Law. Elected to the judgeship in 2022, Bain now focuses on restoring public safety, strengthening community ties, supporting victims, and collaborating with local organizations to prevent and deter crime."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney in 2024.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney (2021-2023)
Biography: Worrell received a bachelor's degree from St. John's University in and a J.D. from the University of Florida. She worked as a clinical law professor at the University of Florida and as the chief legal officer for REFORM Alliance.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney in 2024.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
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.
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Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
In the race for State Attorney, it's crucial to remember that politics do not keep the people of Orange and Osceola counties safe. Andrew A. Bain focuses on real, actionable results rather than political maneuvering. His commitment lies in effective law enforcement, proven crime prevention strategies, and genuine community engagement. Bain's track record demonstrates that safety is achieved through dedicated service and tangible actions, not political agendas. Choose a candidate who prioritizes real solutions over politics.
In the race for State Attorney, it's essential to understand that prosecutorial discretion is not the same as veto power. Andrew A. Bain uses his discretion responsibly in line with the rule of law to ensure justice and safety for Orange and Osceola counties. This means making informed decisions on how to best prosecute cases while balancing the needs of public safety and fairness. He is the only candidate with the years of prosecution experience needed to develop the wisdom in using appropriate discretion. Bain’s approach focuses on results and effective crime prevention, rather than exercising unchecked power. Trust a leader who uses discretion to protect and serve the community effectively, not to impose personal agendas.
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Transparency is crucial because it ensures that the official’s actions, decisions, and motivations are clear and open to public scrutiny. This openness builds trust and accountability, allowing constituents to understand and engage with the decision-making process. Transparent officials are committed to sharing information and making their actions and policies understandable and accessible to the public.
Candor involves honesty and straightforwardness. Elected officials must communicate openly about their goals, challenges, and the realities of their positions. Candor helps prevent misinformation and fosters a culture of trust and integrity. It also means being honest about mistakes and taking responsibility for them, which strengthens public confidence.
Courage is essential for facing difficult decisions and standing up for what is right, even in the face of opposition or personal risk. Courageous leaders are willing to tackle contentious issues and challenge the status quo when necessary. This bravery ensures that they can advocate for the needs of their constituents and make tough choices for the greater good, even when it’s unpopular.
Discernment is the ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on careful consideration and insight. Elected officials must analyze complex issues, weigh various perspectives, and foresee the potential impact of their decisions. Discernment ensures that they act in the best interest of their community, balancing short-term needs with long-term goals.
In summary, transparency, candor, courage, and discernment are vital for effective leadership. These qualities ensure that elected officials are trustworthy, honest, brave, and wise in their service to the public, ultimately leading to more effective governance and a more engaged, informed electorate.
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Adherence to the Rule of Law: Upholding the rule of law is paramount. This means ensuring that all legal proceedings are conducted fairly and in accordance with established legal principles. An elected State Attorney must be committed to impartiality, respecting legal rights, and applying the law consistently, without bias or favoritism. Public Safety: Ensuring the safety of the community is a fundamental responsibility. This involves not only prosecuting crimes effectively but also working proactively to address the root causes of criminal behavior. A focus on public safety ensures that neighborhoods remain secure and that justice is served in a manner that protects all residents. Ensuring Fair Treatment Under the Law: A core responsibility is to guarantee that every individual receives fair and equitable treatment within the justice system. This includes protecting the rights of victims, and defendants, ensuring a fair trial, and addressing any potential injustices. Fair treatment upholds the integrity of the legal system and reinforces public trust. Seeing to the Well-being of Victims: It is crucial to support and advocate for victims of crime. This involves ensuring that victims' voices are heard, providing them with necessary resources and assistance, and prioritizing their needs throughout the legal process. Addressing the impact of crime on victims helps in achieving justice and aids in their recovery.
Working with the Community: Collaboration with the community is essential for effective crime prevention and resolution. This means engaging with local organizations, law enforcement, and residents to address crime, develop prevention strategies, and foster a cooperative environment. Working together, the State Attorney can help solve, prevent, and deter crime, ultimately contributing to a safer and more resilient community.
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Andrew Bain (No Affiliation)
Political Dark Money: The influence of political dark money poses a significant threat to democratic processes. Dark money refers to funds used to influence elections and policymaking that are not subject to full disclosure requirements. This lack of transparency undermines public trust and allows special interests to wield disproportionate influence over political decisions, often at the expense of the general public's needs and interests. When powerful entities can anonymously fund political campaigns and influence policy decisions, it distorts democratic principles and compromises the integrity of the electoral process. This situation erodes the public's confidence in elected officials and the political system, as voters may feel that their voices are overshadowed by unseen and unaccountable interests. Addressing the problem of dark money requires rigorous reforms to increase transparency in political financing. Implementing stricter disclosure requirements for political donations, closing loopholes that allow anonymous contributions, and promoting transparency in lobbying efforts are critical steps. These measures ensure that political contributions are traceable, making it harder for hidden interests to manipulate the political landscape.
In summary, combatting the influence of political dark money is essential to ensure that democracy functions fairly and that government actions reflect the true will of the people, rather than the interests of powerful, anonymous donors.
Campaign ads
Andrew Bain
Monique Worrell
Election competitiveness
Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. No polls were available for this election. To notify us of polls published in this election, please email us.
Endorsements
Click the links below to see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.
Election spending
Campaign finance
Candidates in this election submitted campaign finance reports to the Florida Division of Elections. Click here to access those reports.
Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[12][13][14]
If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.
Election context
Ballot access requirements
The table below details filing requirements for state attorney candidates in Orange County in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Florida, click here.
| Filing requirements for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney candidates, 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partisan affiliation | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source | ||
| Party-affiliated | N/A | $12,753.72 | 04/26/2024 | Source | ||
| Non-party-affiliated | N/A | $8,502.48 | 04/26/2024 | Source | ||
Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney election history
2022
See also: Municipal elections in Orange County, Florida (2022)
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Orange County Court
Incumbent Andrew Bain won election outright against Jared Adelman in the primary for Orange County Court on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Andrew Bain (Nonpartisan) | 63.5 | 107,486 |
| Jared Adelman (Nonpartisan) | 36.5 | 61,807 | ||
| Total votes: 169,293 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
See also: Municipal elections in Orange County, Florida (2020)
General election
General election for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney
Monique Worrell defeated Jose Torroella in the general election for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Monique Worrell (D) | 66.6 | 395,979 |
| Jose Torroella (No Party Affiliation) | 33.4 | 198,719 | ||
| Total votes: 594,698 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney
Monique Worrell defeated Belvin Perry Jr., Deborah Barra, and Ryan Williams in the Democratic primary for Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney on August 18, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Monique Worrell | 43.4 | 63,863 |
 | Belvin Perry Jr. | 31.0 | 45,732 | |
| Deborah Barra | 19.4 | 28,551 | ||
| Ryan Williams | 6.2 | 9,157 | ||
| Total votes: 147,303 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2024 battleground elections
- See also: Battlegrounds
This was a battleground election. Other 2024 battleground elections included:
- Indiana's 5th Congressional District election, 2024 (May 7 Republican primary)
- Mayoral election in Las Vegas, Nevada 2024 (June 11 primary election)
See also
| Orange County, Florida | Florida | Municipal government | Other local coverage |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Politico, "DeSantis suspends another elected prosecutor in move derided as ‘politically motivated’," August 9, 2024
- ↑ Tallahassee Democrat, "Florida Supreme Court upholds DeSantis' suspension of Orlando-area prosecutor," June 7, 2024
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 State Attorney Andrew A. Bain, Ninth Judicial Circuit, "Meet the State Attorney," accessed November 1, 2024
- ↑ Andrew Bain 2024 campaign website, "Home, accessed November 1, 2024
- ↑ Monique Worrell 2024 campaign website, "Home," accessed November 1, 2024
- ↑ State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit, "About," accessed November 1, 2024
- ↑ Florida Online Voter Registration System, "Home page," accessed October 10, 2024
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, "Vote by Mail," accessed October 10, 2024
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "Early Voting and Secure Ballot Intake Stations," February 29, 2024
- ↑ Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, "Early Voting," accessed October 10, 2024
- ↑ Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, "Election Day Voting," accessed October 10, 2024
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
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