Florida Judicial Elections, 2012 - Circuit Court
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The Florida judicial elections consisted of a primary on August 14th and general election in November 6th.[1]
The filing deadline for judicial offices was April 20, 2012.[1]
All contested Circuit Court races (2 or more candidates) appear on the primary ballot. If one candidate receives a majority of the votes in the primary, they automatically win and do not appear on the general election ballot. If no one receives a majority vote, the two highest-voted candidates will advance to the general election.
Unopposed candidates (who are often judges running for re-election), do not appear on the ballot, but are considered automatically elected following the primary election.[2]
First Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
David Rimmer  | Yes | Group 6 | | |
| Gary Bergosh | Yes | Group 23 | | |
| John Jay Gontarek | No | Group 1 | | |
| John L. Miller | Yes | Group 18 | | |
| Kelvin C. Wells | Yes | Group 9 | | |
| Linda L. Nobles | Yes | Group 14 | | |
| Marci L. Goodman Approved | Yes | Group 7 | Approved | |
| Mary Polson Approved | No | Group 13 | Approved | |
| Ross Goodman Approved | Yes | Group 24 | Approved | |
| Terrance Ketchel Approved | Yes | Group 15 | 62.9%Approved | Approved |
| Thomas Murphy (Florida) | No | Group 15 | 37.1% |
Second Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara Hobbs Approved | No | Group 2 | 49.1%Approved | 54.3% |
| George S. Reynolds, III Approved | Yes | Group 1 | Approved | |
| James O. Shelfer Approved | Yes | Group 3 | Approved | |
| Josefina Tamayo | Yes | Group 2 | 29.5%Approved | 45.7% Defeated |
| Kris Dunn | No | Group 2 | 21.4% | |
| Terry P. Lewis Approved | Yes | Group 12 | Approved |
Third Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew J. Decker, III Approved | No | Group 2 | 81.0%Approved | |
| Angela M. Cancio | No | Group 5 | 1.5% Defeated | |
| David W. Fina Approved | Yes | Group 3 | Approved | |
| Frederick John Schutte, IV | No | Group 2 | 19.0% | |
| Jimmy Prevatt | No | Group 5 | 43.3% | |
| Wes Douglas Approved | No | Group 5 | 56.7%Approved | 98.5% Approved |
Fourth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alvin Wellington Barlow | No | Group 29 | 33.8% | |
| Brian J. Davis Approved | Yes | Group 1 | 50.3%Approved | 99.6% Approved |
| Daniel Wilensky Approved | Yes | Group 35 | | |
| David C. Wiggins Approved | Yes | Group 24 | Approved | |
| Don Lester Approved | Yes | Group 3 | Approved | |
| Don Mairs | No | Group 1 | 17.4% | |
| E. McRae Mathis Approved | Yes | Group 15 | Approved | |
| Elizabeth Senterfitt Approved | Yes | Group 33 | Approved | |
| Gerald L. Wilkerson | No | Group 1 | 0.4% Defeated | |
| Greg Messore | No | Group 1 | 8.2% | |
| Hugh Carithers Approved | Yes | Group 18 | Approved | |
| John Merrett | Yes | Group 34 | 40.8% | |
| Karen Cole Approved | Yes | Group 16 | Approved | |
| Kevin Blazs Approved | Yes | Group 19 | | |
| Lawrence P. Haddock Approved | Yes | Group 7 | Approved | |
| Mark Borello Approved | No | Group 29 | 66.2%Approved | Approved |
| Melina E. Buncome | No | Group 1 | 24.1% | |
| Peter Dearing Approved | Yes | Group 17 | Approved | |
| Robert Mallory Foster Approved | Yes | Group 6 | Approved | |
| Suzanne Bass | No | Group 34 | 59.2%Approved | Approved |
| Thomas Beverly Approved | Yes | Group 14 | Approved |
Fifth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Tatti Approved | Yes | Group 26 | Approved | |
| Daniel B. Merritt, Jr. Approved | Yes | Group 31 | Approved | |
| David B. Eddy Approved | Yes | Group 20 | | |
| Edward Scott Approved | Yes | Group 29 | Approved | |
| Hale R. Stancil Approved | Yes | Group 16 | Approved | |
| Heidi Davis Approved | Yes | Group 13 | Approved | |
| Michael G. Takac Approved | Yes | Group 30 | Approved | |
| Michelle Morley Approved | Yes | Group 7 | Approved | |
| Patricia V. Thomas | Yes | Group 4 | Approved | |
| Stephen E. Toner, Jr. Approved | No | Group 19 | Approved | |
| Steven G. Rogers Approved | No | Group 8 | Approved | |
| William G. Law Approved | Yes | Group 17 | Approved |
Sixth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes Theresa McCabe | No | Group 45 | 40.7% | |
| Amy M. Williams Approved | Yes | Group 23 | Approved | |
| Andy Steingold | No | Group 15 | 37.5% | |
| Bill Burgess | No | Group 15 | 62.5%Approved | Approved |
| Brian Battaglia | No | Group 31 | 41.1% | |
| Chris Helinger Approved | Yes | Group 9 | Approved | |
| Dee Anna Farnell Approved | Yes | Group 12 | Approved | |
| Frank Quesada Approved | Yes | Group 36 | Approved | |
| Jack Day Approved | Yes | Group 45 | 59.3% | Approved |
| Joseph A. Bulone Approved | Yes | Group 24 | Approved | |
| Kim Campbell Approved | No | Group 31 | 58.9%Approved | Approved |
| Lynn Tepper Approved | Yes | Group 4 | Approved | |
| Nancy Moate Ley Approved | Yes | Group 34 | Approved | |
| Pat Siracusa | Yes | Group 32 | Approved | |
| Philip J. Federico Approved | Yes | Group 10 | Approved | |
| Thomas H. Minkoff Approved | Yes | Group 40 | Approved | |
| Tom Ramsberger Approved | No | Group 11 | Approved | |
| William R. Webb Approved | Yes | Group 14 | Approved |
Seventh Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C. McFerrin Smith III | Yes | Group 12 | Approved | |
| Clyde E. Wolfe Approved | Yes | Group 27 | Approved | |
| J. Michael Traynor Approved | Yes | Group 15 | Approved | |
| Leah R. Case Approved | Yes | Group 16 | Approved | |
| Patti A. Christensen Approved | Yes | Group 2 | Approved | |
| Terence R. Perkins | Yes | Group 9 | Approved | |
| Wendy W. Berger Approved | Yes | Group 19 | Approved | |
| William A. Parsons Approved | Yes | Group 21 | Approved |
Eighth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Day Coker Approved | Yes | Group 6 | Approved | |
| Stan Griffis Approved | Yes | Group 4 | Approved | |
| Toby S. Monaco | Yes | Group 5 | Approved | |
| Victor L. Hulslander Approved | Yes | Group 8 | Approved |
Ninth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvin Perry, Jr. Approved | Yes | Group 3 | 78.7%Approved | Approved |
| Bob LeBlanc Approved | Yes | Group 43 | Approved | |
| Daniel Perry | No | Group 3 | 21.3% | |
| Eric DuBois | No | Group 7 | 25.0% | |
| Gail Adams Approved | Yes | Group 11 | Approved | |
| Jenifer M. Davis | Yes | Group 5 | Approved | |
| Joel Wilson (Florida) | No | Group 7 | 30.1%Approved | 42% Defeated |
| Jose R. Rodriguez (Florida) Approved | Yes | Group 26 | Approved | |
| Jose Torroella | No | Group 27 | 28.3% | |
| Keith F. White Approved | Yes | Group 27 | 71.7%Approved | Approved |
| Leticia Marques Approved | No | Group 7 | 44.9%Approved | 58.0% |
| Marc L. Lubet Approved | Yes | Group 15 | Approved | |
| Mark S. Blechman Approved | No | Group 20 | Approved | |
| Michael Murphy (Florida) Approved | Yes | Group 19 | Approved | |
| Patricia A. Doherty Approved | Yes | Group 28 | Approved | |
| Pedro J. Malaret | No | Group 42 | 32.8% | |
| Robert M. Evans Approved | Yes | Group 29 | Approved | |
| Sally D. M. Kest | Yes | Group 41 | Approved | |
| Timothy Shea Approved | Yes | Group 42 | 67.2%Approved | Approved |
Tenth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beth Harlan Approved | Yes | Group 17 | Approved | |
| Catherine L. Combee Approved | No | Group 27 | 52.7%Approved | Approved |
| Charles B. Curry Approved | Yes | Group 4 | | |
| Christine Trakas Thornhill | No | Group 7 | 43.2%Approved | 46.6% Defeated |
| John K. Stargel Approved | Yes | Group 28 | Approved | |
| Marcus Ezelle Approved | Yes | Group 11 | Approved | |
| Mark Hofstad Approved | Yes | Group 10 | Approved | |
| Mark Kaylor | No | Group 27 | 47.3% | |
| Steven L. Selph Approved | Yes | Group 3 | Approved | |
| Wayne Durden | Yes | Group 14 | Approved | |
| William Sites Approved | No | Group 7 | 33.0%Approved | 53.4% Approved |
Eleventh Circuit[edit]
Twelfth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles E. Williams Approved | Yes | Group 3 | Approved | |
| Debra Johnes Riva Approved | Yes | Group 20 | Approved | |
| Donna Berlin Approved | Yes | Group 16 | Approved | |
| Frederick P. Mercurio Approved | No | Group 14 | Approved | |
| Janette Dunnigan Approved | Yes | Group 15 | | |
| John F. Lakin Approved | No | Group 7 | Approved | |
| Lee E. Haworth Approved | Yes | Group 13 | Approved | |
| Rochelle Curley Approved | Yes | Group 21 | Approved |
Thirteenth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley B. Moody Approved | Yes | Group 45 | Approved | |
| Bernard C. Silver Approved | Yes | Group 32 | Approved | |
| Cheryl Thomas Approved | Yes | Group 16 | | |
| Emily A. Peacock Approved | Yes | Group 44 | Approved | |
| Johnnie B. Byrd, Jr. | No | Group 14 | 36.7% | |
| Kimberly K. Fernandez Approved | Yes | Group 43 | Approved | |
| Mark R. Wolfe Approved | Yes | Group 14 | 63.3%Approved | Approved |
| Paul L. Huey Approved | Yes | Group 12 | Approved | |
| Robert A. Foster, Jr. Approved | Yes | Group 25 | Approved | |
| Ronald Ficarrotta | Yes | Group 26 | Approved | |
| Tracy Sheehan Approved | Yes | Group 42 | Approved |
Fourteenth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elijah Smiley Approved | Yes | Group 11 | Approved | |
| John L. Fishel Approved | Yes | Group 3 | Approved | |
| Shonna Young Gay Approved | Yes | Group 6 | Approved |
Fifteenth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catherine M. Brunson Approved | Yes | Group 25 | Approved | |
| David E. French | Yes | Group 13 | Approved | |
| James Martz Approved | Yes | Group 26 | 58.1%Approved | Approved |
| Janis Keyser Approved | Yes | Group 6 | Approved | |
| Jody Lane | No | Group 2 | 37.7% | |
| Joseph Marx Approved | Yes | Group 11 | Approved | |
| Kathleen J. Kroll Approved | Yes | Group 19 | Approved | |
| Margherita Downey | No | Group 26 | 41.9% | |
| Moses Baker, Jr. | Yes | Group 8 | Approved | |
| Peter D. Blanc Approved | Yes | Group 18 | Approved | |
| Richard L. Oftedal Approved | Yes | Group 20 | Approved | |
| Robin L. Rosenberg Approved | Yes | Approved | ||
| Ronald V. Alvarez Approved | Yes | Group 9 | 50.9%Approved | Approved |
| Stephen A. Rapp | Yes | Group 17 | Approved | |
| Timothy P. McCarthy (Florida) Approved | Yes | Group 2 | 62.3%Approved | Approved |
Sixteenth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Audlin Approved | Yes | Group 2 | Approved |
Seventeenth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ari Abraham Porth Approved | No | Group 10 | Approved | |
| Arthur M. Birken Approved | Yes | Group 40 | Approved | |
| Carol Lisa Phillips | Yes | Group 1 | Approved | |
| Dale Ross Approved | Yes | Group 35 | 70.8%Approved | Approved |
| David Haimes Approved | Yes | Group 7 | Approved | |
| Geoffrey D. Cohen Approved | Yes | Group 43 | Approved | |
| Ilona M. Holmes Approved | Yes | Group 38 | Approved | |
| Julie C. Shapiro-Harris | No | Group 19 | 48.6% | |
| Julio E. Gonzalez, Jr. | No | Group 45 | 33.9%Approved | 49.1%  |
| Marina Garcia-Wood Approved | Yes | Group 58 | Approved | |
| Mark A. Speiser Approved | Yes | Group 39 | Approved | |
| Michael A. Robinson Approved | Yes | Group 32 | Approved | |
| Michael Ian Rothschild Approved | No | Group 19 | 51.4%Approved | Approved |
| Michael Rocque | No | Group 35 | 29.3% | |
| Michael Usan Approved | Yes | Group 42 | | |
| Michele Towbin Singer Approved | Yes | Group 57 | Approved | |
| Nicholas Lopane | Yes | Group 5 | Approved | |
| Oliver Parker | No | Group 45 | 15.6% | |
| Paul L. Backman Approved | Yes | Group 36 | Approved | |
| Peter M. Weinstein Approved | Yes | Group 46 | Approved | |
| Rhoda Sokoloff | ||||
| Tim Bailey Approved | No | Group 31 | Approved |
Eighteenth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Crawford Approved | Yes | Group 20 | Approved | |
| Debra Steinberg Nelson Approved | Yes | Group 10 | | |
| Jeffrey Mahl Approved | Yes | Group 8 | Approved | |
| Jim Earp Approved | Yes | Group 26 | 69.5%Approved | Approved |
| Lisa Davidson Approved | Yes | Group 7 | Approved | |
| Marlene M. Alva Approved | Yes | Group 11 | Approved | |
| Matt Aungst | No | Group 26 | 30.5% |
Nineteenth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark W. Klingensmith Approved | Yes | | ||
| Paul B. Kanarek Approved | Yes | Group 5 | Approved | |
| Robert A. Hawley (Florida) Approved | Yes | Group 8 | Approved | |
| Robert E. Belanger Approved | Yes | Group 12 | Approved | |
| Robert L. Pegg Approved | Yes | Group 19 | Approved | |
| Sherwood Bauer, Jr. Approved | Yes | Group 3 | Approved |
Twentieth Circuit[edit]
| Candidate | Incumbency | Office | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce Kyle | Yes | Group 14 | Approved | |
| Cynthia A. Pivacek Approved | Yes | Group 5 | Approved | |
| David McElrath | No | Group 29 | 44.3% | |
| Elisabeth Adams Approved | Yes | Group 30 | Approved | |
| Elizabeth V. Krier Approved | Yes | Group 28 | Approved | |
| Frederick R. Hardt Approved | Yes | Group 8 | Approved | |
| George Richards Approved | Yes | Group 29 | 55.8% | Approved |
| J. Frank Porter Approved | Yes | Group 2 | Approved | |
| Joe Foster (Florida) Approved | No | Group 18 | 60.3%Approved | Approved |
| John Duryea Approved | Yes | Group 1 | Approved | |
| Joseph A. Simpson | Yes | Group 26 | 28.9% | |
| Joseph C. Fuller, Jr. Approved | Yes | Group 27 | Approved | |
| Karen Elizabeth Miller | No | Group 9 | 48.7% | |
| Keith R. Kyle Approved | Yes | Group 31 | | |
| Lee A. Schreiber Approved | Yes | Approved | ||
| Lisa Spader Porter Approved | No | Group 26 | 71.1%Approved | Approved |
| M.C. Fernandez III | No | Group 18 | 39.7% | |
| Margaret O. Steinbeck Approved | Yes | Group 9 | 51.3%Approved | Approved |
| R. Thomas Corbin Approved | Yes | Group 17 | |
In the News[edit]
Florida primary settles some Circuit Court races[edit]
As featured in JP Election Brief: August primaries settling judicial races on August 16, 2012.
The primary election for Florida circuit judges and judicial hopefuls concluded Tuesday evening, Aug. 14. According to state rules, if one candidate receives a majority of the vote in the primary, they are automatically elected without a general election. A number of new judges were elected this way, some of them even toppling incumbents.
The following non-incumbent candidates were elected to judgeships in the primary:
| Name | percent of vote |
|---|---|
| Andrew J. Decker, III | 81.0% |
| Wes Douglas | 56.7% |
| Suzanne Bass | 59.2 percent * |
| Mark Borello | 66.2% |
| Kim Campbell | 58.9% |
| Bill Burgess | 62.5% |
| Catherine L. Combee | 52.7% |
| Teresa Mary Pooler | 56.4% |
| Maria Santovenia | 51.5% |
| Maria Elena Verde | 51.6% |
| Michael Ian Rothschild | 15.4% |
| Lisa Spader Porter | 71.1 percent * |
| Joe Foster | 60.3% |
* defeated incumbent judge[3]
These judges will take office on January 8, 2013.[4]
Pinella County judicial candidates tout their qualifications to fellow Floridians[edit]
As featured in JP Election Brief: An indictment, legal challenges, and First Amendment questions on July 19, 2012.
At the beginning of the month, candidates vying for seats on Florida's 6th Circuit Court came before voters to explain why they should be elected. Three contested Circuit Court seats were represented, with two candidates competing per seat. Each candidate had five minutes to speak to an audience of about 50 at a forum in Clearwater, Florida.
Here is a brief summary of the Circuit Court candidates' statements:
For Group 15:
- Bill Burgess pointed to the fact that he has tried over 140 jury trials as a prosecutor. He said he would be a diligent, detail-oriented judge. Andy Steingold, who has practiced law for 25 years, pointed to his community involvement, especially as mayor of Safety Harbor.
For Group 31:
- Brian Battaglia focused on his community involvement as an advocate, teacher and attorney. He also stated, "I have a lot of experience with the process and the courts."[5] Kim Campbell described her career path as an assistant state attorney, private practice lawyer, Guardian ad Litem and as President of the Clearwater Bar Association.
For Group 45:
- Jack Day, a four-year judge of the Unified Family Court, talked about founding Gulf Coast Legal Services, which provides legal services to those with low income. Agnes Theresa McCabe has spent 12 years in the state attorney's office. She stated, "Whatever kind of day you are having, the people having their children removed are having a worse day. And I think that’s important to remember."[5]
Filing deadline highlights races[edit]
As featured in JP Election Brief: Florida gets ready as Alabama wraps up (and more!) on April 26, 2012.
April 20 was the deadline for Florida judicial candidates to file for the election. Most of those filed are incumbent judges who will run unopposed in the general election on Nov. 6, 2012. For races with more than two candidates, there will be a primary on Aug. 14.
Following are a few of the contested Circuit Court races that will appear on the ballot:
- Thomas Murphy is challenging Judge Terrance Ketchel.
- Judge Josefina Tamayo drew two challengers for her seat; Barbara Hobbs and Kris Dunn.
- Andrew J. Decker, III will face Frederick John Schutte, IV.
- Jimmy Prevatt, Wes Douglas and Angela M. Cancio are vying for the other seat in the primary.
- Incumbent Judge Brian J. Davis will go to the primary with a slew of challengers: Melina E. Buncome, Don Mairs, Greg Messore, Gerald L. Wilkerson.
- Alvin Wellington Barlow will face Mark Borello
- Judge John Merrett will face challenger Suzanne Bass.
- Brian Battaglia will face Kim Campbell.
- Judge Jack Day will face challenger Agnes Theresa McCabe.
- Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. will face challenger Daniel Perry.
- Eric DuBois, Leticia Marques and Joel Wilson will head to the primary.
- Judge Keith F. White will face challenger Jose Torroella.
- Judge Timothy Shea will face challenger Pedro J. Malaret
- Larry Helms, William Sites and Christine Trakas Thornhill will go to the primary.
- Catherine L. Combee will face Mark Kaylor.
- Judge David C. Miller will face challenger Mauricio Padilla.
- Robert Coppel will face Maria Elena Verde.
- Alex Jimenez Labora will face Maria Santovenia.
- Victor H. De Yurre will face Teresa Mary Pooler.
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
Footnotes[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Florida Division of Elections, Calendar of Election Dates
- ↑ 2011 Florida Statutes: 105.051 Determination of election or retention to office
- ↑ Florida 2012 Unofficial Primary Election Results: Circuit Court Judge
- ↑ Ballotpedia: Florida Constitution, Article V, Section 10
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 DunedinPatch, "Pinellas Judicial Candidates Make Case to Voters," July 3, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "2012 Candidate Listing"
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Florida courts
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
Categories: [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)] [2012 elections (judicial)]
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