Florida judicial elections, 2012 - Circuit Court

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Judicial Elections
Judicial elections, 2012
Judicial election dates

## Contents

* 1 First Circuit
* 2 Second Circuit
* 3 Third Circuit
* 4 Fourth Circuit
* 5 Fifth Circuit
* 6 Sixth Circuit
* 7 Seventh Circuit
* 8 Eighth Circuit
* 9 Ninth Circuit
* 10 Tenth Circuit
* 11 Eleventh Circuit
* 12 Twelfth Circuit
* 13 Thirteenth Circuit
* 14 Fourteenth Circuit
* 15 Fifteenth Circuit
* 16 Sixteenth Circuit
* 17 Seventeenth Circuit
* 18 Eighteenth Circuit
* 19 Nineteenth Circuit
* 20 Twentieth Circuit
* 21 In the News
* 21.1 Florida primary settles some Circuit Court races
* 21.2 Pinella County judicial candidates tout their qualifications to fellow Floridians
* 21.3 Filing deadline highlights races
* 22 See also
* 23 External links
* 24 Footnotes

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

|
|
|
|

RimmerDavid Rimmer A| Yes| Group 6| |  A
BergoshGary Bergosh A| Yes| Group 23| |  A
GontarekJohn Jay Gontarek A| No| Group 1| |  A
MillerJohn L. Miller A| Yes| Group 18| |  A
WellsKelvin C. Wells A| Yes| Group 9| |  A
NoblesLinda L. Nobles A| Yes| Group 14| |  A
GoodmanMarci L. Goodman ApprovedA| Yes| Group 7| |  ApprovedA
PolsonMary Polson ApprovedA| No| Group 13| |  ApprovedA
GoodmanRoss Goodman ApprovedA| Yes| Group 24| |  ApprovedA
KetchelTerrance Ketchel ApprovedA| Yes| Group 15| 62.9%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
MurphyThomas Murphy (Florida) | No| Group 15| 37.1%|

#### Second Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

HobbsBarbara Hobbs ApprovedA| No| Group 2| 49.1%ApprovedA| 54.3% A
Reynolds, IIIGeorge S. Reynolds, III ApprovedA| Yes| Group 1| |  ApprovedA
ShelferJames O. Shelfer ApprovedA| Yes| Group 3| |  ApprovedA
TamayoJosefina Tamayo | Yes| Group 2| 29.5%ApprovedA| 45.7% DefeatedD
DunnKris Dunn | No| Group 2| 21.4%|
LewisTerry P. Lewis ApprovedA| Yes| Group 12| |  ApprovedA

#### Third Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

Decker, IIIAndrew J. Decker, III ApprovedA| No| Group 2| 81.0%ApprovedA|  A
CancioAngela M. Cancio | No| Group 5| | 1.5% DefeatedD
FinaDavid W. Fina ApprovedA| Yes| Group 3| |  ApprovedA
Schutte, IVFrederick John Schutte, IV | No| Group 2| 19.0%|
PrevattJimmy Prevatt | No| Group 5| 43.3%|
DouglasWes Douglas ApprovedA| No| Group 5| 56.7%ApprovedA| 98.5% ApprovedA

#### Fourth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

BarlowAlvin Wellington Barlow | No| Group 29| 33.8%|
DavisBrian J. Davis ApprovedA| Yes| Group 1| 50.3%ApprovedA| 99.6% ApprovedA
WilenskyDaniel Wilensky ApprovedA| Yes| Group 35| |  A
WigginsDavid C. Wiggins ApprovedA| Yes| Group 24| |  ApprovedA
LesterDon Lester ApprovedA| Yes| Group 3| |  ApprovedA
MairsDon Mairs | No| Group 1| 17.4%|
MathisE. McRae Mathis ApprovedA| Yes| Group 15| |  ApprovedA
SenterfittElizabeth Senterfitt ApprovedA| Yes| Group 33| |  ApprovedA
WilkersonGerald L. Wilkerson | No| Group 1| | 0.4% DefeatedD
MessoreGreg Messore | No| Group 1| 8.2%|
CarithersHugh Carithers ApprovedA| Yes| Group 18| |  ApprovedA
MerrettJohn Merrett | Yes| Group 34| 40.8%|
ColeKaren Cole ApprovedA| Yes| Group 16| |  ApprovedA
BlazsKevin Blazs ApprovedA| Yes| Group 19| |  A
HaddockLawrence P. Haddock ApprovedA| Yes| Group 7| |  ApprovedA
BorelloMark Borello ApprovedA| No| Group 29| 66.2%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
BuncomeMelina E. Buncome | No| Group 1| 24.1%|
DearingPeter Dearing ApprovedA| Yes| Group 17| |  ApprovedA
FosterRobert Mallory Foster ApprovedA| Yes| Group 6| |  ApprovedA
BassSuzanne Bass A| No| Group 34| 59.2%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
BeverlyThomas Beverly ApprovedA| Yes| Group 14| |  ApprovedA

#### Fifth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

TattiAnthony Tatti ApprovedA| Yes| Group 26| |  ApprovedA
Merritt, Jr.Daniel B. Merritt, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| Group 31| |  ApprovedA
EddyDavid B. Eddy ApprovedA| Yes| Group 20| |  A
ScottEdward Scott ApprovedA| Yes| Group 29| |  ApprovedA
StancilHale R. Stancil ApprovedA| Yes| Group 16| |  ApprovedA
DavisHeidi Davis ApprovedA| Yes| Group 13| |  ApprovedA
TakacMichael G. Takac ApprovedA| Yes| Group 30| |  ApprovedA
MorleyMichelle Morley ApprovedA| Yes| Group 7| |  ApprovedA
ThomasPatricia V. Thomas A| Yes| Group 4| |  ApprovedA
Toner, Jr.Stephen E. Toner, Jr. ApprovedA| No| Group 19| |  ApprovedA
RogersSteven G. Rogers ApprovedA| No| Group 8| |  ApprovedA
Law, Jr.William G. Law ApprovedA| Yes| Group 17| |  ApprovedA

#### Sixth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

McCabeAgnes Theresa McCabe | No| Group 45| 40.7%|
WilliamsAmy M. Williams ApprovedA| Yes| Group 23| |  ApprovedA
SteingoldAndy Steingold | No| Group 15| 37.5%|
BurgessBill Burgess A| No| Group 15| 62.5%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
BattagliaBrian Battaglia | No| Group 31| 41.1%|
HelingerChris Helinger ApprovedA| Yes| Group 9| |  ApprovedA
FarnellDee Anna Farnell ApprovedA| Yes| Group 12| |  ApprovedA
QuesadaFrank Quesada ApprovedA| Yes| Group 36| |  ApprovedA
DayJack Day ApprovedA| Yes| Group 45| 59.3%A|  ApprovedA
BuloneJoseph A. Bulone ApprovedA| Yes| Group 24| |  ApprovedA
CampbellKim Campbell ApprovedA| No| Group 31| 58.9%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
TepperLynn Tepper ApprovedA| Yes| Group 4| |  ApprovedA
Moate LeyNancy Moate Ley ApprovedA| Yes| Group 34| |  ApprovedA
SiracusaPat Siracusa A| Yes| Group 32| |  ApprovedA
FedericoPhilip J. Federico ApprovedA| Yes| Group 10| |  ApprovedA
MinkoffThomas H. Minkoff ApprovedA| Yes| Group 40| |  ApprovedA
RamsbergerTom Ramsberger ApprovedA| No| Group 11| |  ApprovedA
WebbWilliam R. Webb ApprovedA| Yes| Group 14| |  ApprovedA

#### Seventh Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

Smith IIIC. McFerrin Smith III A| Yes| Group 12| |  ApprovedA
WolfeClyde E. Wolfe ApprovedA| Yes| Group 27| |  ApprovedA
TraynorJ. Michael Traynor ApprovedA| Yes| Group 15| |  ApprovedA
CaseLeah R. Case ApprovedA| Yes| Group 16| |  ApprovedA
ChristensenPatti A. Christensen ApprovedA| Yes| Group 2| |  ApprovedA
PerkinsTerence R. Perkins A| Yes| Group 9| |  ApprovedA
BergerWendy W. Berger ApprovedA| Yes| Group 19| |  ApprovedA
ParsonsWilliam A. Parsons ApprovedA| Yes| Group 21| |  ApprovedA

#### Eighth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

CokerMary Day Coker ApprovedA| Yes| Group 6| |  ApprovedA
GriffisStan Griffis ApprovedA| Yes| Group 4| |  ApprovedA
MonacoToby S. Monaco A| Yes| Group 5| |  ApprovedA
HulslanderVictor L. Hulslander ApprovedA| Yes| Group 8| |  ApprovedA

#### Ninth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

Perry, Jr.Belvin Perry, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| Group 3| 78.7%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
LeBlancBob LeBlanc ApprovedA| Yes| Group 43| |  ApprovedA
PerryDaniel Perry | No| Group 3| 21.3%|
DuBoisEric DuBois | No| Group 7| 25.0%|
AdamsGail Adams ApprovedA| Yes| Group 11| |  ApprovedA
DavisJenifer M. Davis A| Yes| Group 5| |  ApprovedA
WilsonJoel Wilson (Florida) | No| Group 7| 30.1%ApprovedA| 42% DefeatedD
RodriguezJose R. Rodriguez (Florida) ApprovedA| Yes| Group 26| |  ApprovedA
TorroellaJose Torroella | No| Group 27| 28.3%|
WhiteKeith F. White ApprovedA| Yes| Group 27| 71.7%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
MarquesLeticia Marques ApprovedA| No| Group 7| 44.9%ApprovedA| 58.0% A
LubetMarc L. Lubet ApprovedA| Yes| Group 15| |  ApprovedA
BlechmanMark S. Blechman ApprovedA| No| Group 20| |  ApprovedA
MurphyMichael Murphy (Florida) ApprovedA| Yes| Group 19| |  ApprovedA
DohertyPatricia A. Doherty ApprovedA| Yes| Group 28| |  ApprovedA
MalaretPedro J. Malaret | No| Group 42| 32.8%|
EvansRobert M. Evans ApprovedA| Yes| Group 29| |  ApprovedA
KestSally D. M. Kest A| Yes| Group 41| |  ApprovedA
SheaTimothy Shea ApprovedA| Yes| Group 42| 67.2%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA

#### Tenth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

HarlanBeth Harlan ApprovedA| Yes| Group 17| |  ApprovedA
CombeeCatherine L. Combee ApprovedA| No| Group 27| 52.7%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
CurryCharles B. Curry ApprovedA| Yes| Group 4| |  A
ThornhillChristine Trakas Thornhill | No| Group 7| 43.2%ApprovedA| 46.6% DefeatedD
StargelJohn K. Stargel ApprovedA| Yes| Group 28| |  ApprovedA
EzelleMarcus Ezelle ApprovedA| Yes| Group 11| |  ApprovedA
HofstadMark Hofstad ApprovedA| Yes| Group 10| |  ApprovedA
KaylorMark Kaylor | No| Group 27| 47.3%|
SelphSteven L. Selph ApprovedA| Yes| Group 3| |  ApprovedA
DurdenWayne Durden A| Yes| Group 14| |  ApprovedA
SitesWilliam Sites ApprovedA| No| Group 7| 33.0%ApprovedA| 53.4% ApprovedA

#### Eleventh Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

LaboraAlex Jimenez Labora | No| Group 47| 48.5%|
ArzolaAntonio Arzola ApprovedA| Yes| Group 54| |  ApprovedA
MarinAntonio Marin A| Yes| Group 79| |  ApprovedA
BloomBeth Bloom ApprovedA| Yes| | |  ApprovedA
MillerBronwyn C. Miller ApprovedA| Yes| Group 21| |  ApprovedA
LedermanCindy S. Lederman ApprovedA| Yes| Group 14| |  ApprovedA
GaylesDarrin P. Gayles ApprovedA| Yes| | |  ApprovedA
MillerDavid C. Miller ApprovedA| Yes| Group 8| 62.0%A|  ApprovedA
MurphyDennis J. Murphy ApprovedA| Yes| Group 25| |  ApprovedA
LeesfieldEllen Leesfield ApprovedA| Yes| Group 61| |  ApprovedA
VenzerEllen Sue Venzer ApprovedA| Yes| Group 43| |  ApprovedA
ElyGisela Cardonne Ely ApprovedA| Yes| Group 22| |  ApprovedA
BrownJoel H. Brown ApprovedA| Yes| Group 66| |  A
FernandezJose L. Fernandez ApprovedA| Yes| Group 13| |  ApprovedA
WalshLisa S. Walsh ApprovedA| Yes| Group 36| |  ApprovedA
VerdeMaria Elena Verde ApprovedA| No| Group 15| 51.6%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
DennisMaria Espinosa Dennis ApprovedA| Yes| Group 56| |  ApprovedA
KorvickMaria M. Korvick A| Yes| Group 31| |  ApprovedA
SantoveniaMaria Santovenia ApprovedA| No| Group 47| 51.5%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
MendezMarisa Tinkler Mendez ApprovedA| Yes| Group 80| |  ApprovedA
PadillaMauricio Padilla | No| Group 8| 38.0%|
HanzmanMichael A. Hanzman ApprovedA| Yes| Group 60| |  ApprovedA
de la OMiguel de la O ApprovedA| Yes| Group 42| |  ApprovedA
GlazerMindy S. Glazer ApprovedA| Yes| Group 24| |  A
Escharte, Jr.Pedro P. Echarte, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| Group 29| |  ApprovedA
CoppelRobert Coppel | No| Group 15| 48.4%|
BlakeStanford Blake ApprovedA| Yes| Group 68| |  ApprovedA
PoolerTeresa Mary Pooler ApprovedA| No| Group 49| 56.4%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
Manno SchurrValerie R. Manno Schurr ApprovedA| Yes| Group 78| |  ApprovedA
De YurreVictor H. De Yurre | No| Group 49| 43.6%|
PlatzerVictoria Platzer ApprovedA| Yes| Group 67| |  ApprovedA
BrennanVictoria R. Brennan A| Yes| Group 53| |  ApprovedA

#### Twelfth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

WilliamsCharles E. Williams ApprovedA| Yes| Group 3| |  ApprovedA
RivaDebra Johnes Riva ApprovedA| Yes| Group 20| |  ApprovedA
BerlinDonna Berlin ApprovedA| Yes| Group 16| |  ApprovedA
MercurioFrederick P. Mercurio ApprovedA| No| Group 14| |  ApprovedA
DunniganJanette Dunnigan ApprovedA| Yes| Group 15| |  A
LakinJohn F. Lakin ApprovedA| No| Group 7| |  ApprovedA
HaworthLee E. Haworth ApprovedA| Yes| Group 13| |  ApprovedA
CurleyRochelle Curley ApprovedA| Yes| Group 21| |  ApprovedA

#### Thirteenth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

MoodyAshley B. Moody ApprovedA| Yes| Group 45| |  ApprovedA
SilverBernard C. Silver ApprovedA| Yes| Group 32| |  ApprovedA
ThomasCheryl Thomas ApprovedA| Yes| Group 16| |  A
PeacockEmily A. Peacock ApprovedA| Yes| Group 44| |  ApprovedA
Byrd, Jr.Johnnie B. Byrd, Jr. | No| Group 14| 36.7%|
FernandezKimberly K. Fernandez ApprovedA| Yes| Group 43| |  ApprovedA
WolfeMark R. Wolfe ApprovedA| Yes| Group 14| 63.3%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
HueyPaul L. Huey ApprovedA| Yes| Group 12| |  ApprovedA
Foster, Jr.Robert A. Foster, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| Group 25| |  ApprovedA
FicarrottaRonald Ficarrotta A| Yes| Group 26| |  ApprovedA
SheehanTracy Sheehan ApprovedA| Yes| Group 42| |  ApprovedA

#### Fourteenth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

SmileyElijah Smiley ApprovedA| Yes| Group 11| |  ApprovedA
Fishel, IIJohn L. Fishel ApprovedA| Yes| Group 3| |  ApprovedA
GayShonna Young Gay ApprovedA| Yes| Group 6| |  ApprovedA

#### Fifteenth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

BrunsonCatherine M. Brunson ApprovedA| Yes| Group 25| |  ApprovedA
FrenchDavid E. French A| Yes| Group 13| |  ApprovedA
MartzJames Martz ApprovedA| Yes| Group 26| 58.1%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
KeyserJanis Keyser ApprovedA| Yes| Group 6| |  ApprovedA
LaneJody Lane | No| Group 2| 37.7%|
MarxJoseph Marx ApprovedA| Yes| Group 11| |  ApprovedA
KrollKathleen J. Kroll ApprovedA| Yes| Group 19| |  ApprovedA
DowneyMargherita Downey | No| Group 26| 41.9%|
Baker, Jr.Moses Baker, Jr. A| Yes| Group 8| |  ApprovedA
BlancPeter D. Blanc ApprovedA| Yes| Group 18| |  ApprovedA
OftedalRichard L. Oftedal ApprovedA| Yes| Group 20| |  ApprovedA
RosenbergRobin L. Rosenberg ApprovedA| Yes| | |  ApprovedA
AlvarezRonald V. Alvarez ApprovedA| Yes| Group 9| 50.9%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
RappStephen A. Rapp A| Yes| Group 17| |  ApprovedA
McCarthyTimothy P. McCarthy (Florida) ApprovedA| Yes| Group 2| 62.3%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA

#### Sixteenth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

AudlinDavid Audlin ApprovedA| Yes| Group 2| |  ApprovedA

#### Seventeenth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

PorthAri Abraham Porth ApprovedA| No| Group 10| |  ApprovedA
BirkenArthur M. Birken ApprovedA| Yes| Group 40| |  ApprovedA
PhillipsCarol Lisa Phillips A| Yes| Group 1| |  ApprovedA
RossDale Ross ApprovedA| Yes| Group 35| 70.8%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
HaimesDavid Haimes ApprovedA| Yes| Group 7| |  ApprovedA
CohenGeoffrey D. Cohen ApprovedA| Yes| Group 43| |  ApprovedA
HolmesIlona M. Holmes ApprovedA| Yes| Group 38| |  ApprovedA
Shapiro-HarrisJulie C. Shapiro-Harris | No| Group 19| 48.6%|
Gonzalez, Jr.Julio E. Gonzalez, Jr. | No| Group 45| 33.9%ApprovedA| 49.1% D
Garcia-WoodMarina Garcia-Wood ApprovedA| Yes| Group 58| |  ApprovedA
SpeiserMark A. Speiser ApprovedA| Yes| Group 39| |  ApprovedA
RobinsonMichael A. Robinson ApprovedA| Yes| Group 32| |  ApprovedA
RothschildMichael Ian Rothschild ApprovedA| No| Group 19| 51.4%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
RocqueMichael Rocque | No| Group 35| 29.3%|
UsanMichael Usan ApprovedA| Yes| Group 42| |  A
SingerMichele Towbin Singer ApprovedA| Yes| Group 57| |  ApprovedA
LopaneNicholas Lopane A| Yes| Group 5| |  ApprovedA
ParkerOliver Parker | No| Group 45| 15.6%|
BackmanPaul L. Backman ApprovedA| Yes| Group 36| |  ApprovedA
WeinsteinPeter M. Weinstein ApprovedA| Yes| Group 46| |  ApprovedA
SokoloffRhoda Sokoloff | | | |
BaileyTim Bailey ApprovedA| No| Group 31| |  ApprovedA

#### Eighteenth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

CrawfordCharlie Crawford ApprovedA| Yes| Group 20| |  ApprovedA
NelsonDebra Steinberg Nelson ApprovedA| Yes| Group 10| |  A
MahlJeffrey Mahl ApprovedA| Yes| Group 8| |  ApprovedA
EarpJim Earp ApprovedA| Yes| Group 26| 69.5%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
DavidsonLisa Davidson ApprovedA| Yes| Group 7| |  ApprovedA
AlvaMarlene M. Alva ApprovedA| Yes| Group 11| |  ApprovedA
AungstMatt Aungst | No| Group 26| 30.5%|

#### Nineteenth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

KlingensmithMark W. Klingensmith ApprovedA| Yes| | |  A
KanarekPaul B. Kanarek ApprovedA| Yes| Group 5| |  ApprovedA
HawleyRobert A. Hawley (Florida) ApprovedA| Yes| Group 8| |  ApprovedA
BelangerRobert E. Belanger ApprovedA| Yes| Group 12| |  ApprovedA
PeggRobert L. Pegg ApprovedA| Yes| Group 19| |  ApprovedA
BauerSherwood Bauer, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| Group 3| |  ApprovedA

#### Twentieth Circuit[edit]

Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

KyleBruce Kyle A| Yes| Group 14| |  ApprovedA
PivacekCynthia A. Pivacek ApprovedA| Yes| Group 5| |  ApprovedA
McElrathDavid McElrath | No| Group 29| 44.3%|
AdamsElisabeth Adams ApprovedA| Yes| Group 30| |  ApprovedA
KrierElizabeth V. Krier ApprovedA| Yes| Group 28| |  ApprovedA
HardtFrederick R. Hardt ApprovedA| Yes| Group 8| |  ApprovedA
RichardsGeorge Richards ApprovedA| Yes| Group 29| 55.8%A|  ApprovedA
PorterJ. Frank Porter ApprovedA| Yes| Group 2| |  ApprovedA
FosterJoe Foster (Florida) ApprovedA| No| Group 18| 60.3%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
DuryeaJohn Duryea ApprovedA| Yes| Group 1| |  ApprovedA
SimpsonJoseph A. Simpson | Yes| Group 26| 28.9%|
Fuller, Jr.Joseph C. Fuller, Jr. ApprovedA| Yes| Group 27| |  ApprovedA
MillerKaren Elizabeth Miller | No| Group 9| 48.7%|
KyleKeith R. Kyle ApprovedA| Yes| Group 31| |  A
SchreiberLee A. Schreiber ApprovedA| Yes| | |  ApprovedA
PorterLisa Spader Porter ApprovedA| No| Group 26| 71.1%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
Fernandez IIIM.C. Fernandez III | No| Group 18| 39.7%|
SteinbeckMargaret O. Steinbeck ApprovedA| Yes| Group 9| 51.3%ApprovedA|  ApprovedA
CorbinR. Thomas Corbin ApprovedA| Yes| Group 17| |  A

## 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:

First Circuit

* Thomas Murphy is challenging Judge Terrance Ketchel.

Second Circuit

* Judge Josefina Tamayo drew two challengers for her seat; Barbara Hobbs and Kris Dunn.

Third Circuit

* 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.

Fourth Circuit

* 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.

Sixth Circuit

* Brian Battaglia will face Kim Campbell.
* Judge Jack Day will face challenger Agnes Theresa McCabe.

Ninth Circuit

* 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

Tenth Circuit

* Larry Helms, William Sites and Christine Trakas Thornhill will go to the primary.
* Catherine L. Combee will face Mark Kaylor.

Eleventh Circuit

* 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.

[6]

## See also[edit]

* Florida judicial elections, 2012
* Florida judicial elections, 2012 - County Court

## External links[edit]

* Florida Division of Elections, Candidate Listing 2012

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Florida Division of Elections, Calendar of Election Dates
2. ↑ 2011 Florida Statutes: 105.051 Determination of election or retention to office
3. ↑ Florida 2012 Unofficial Primary Election Results: Circuit Court Judge
4. ↑ Ballotpedia: Florida Constitution, Article V, Section 10
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 DunedinPatch, "Pinellas Judicial Candidates Make Case to Voters," July 3, 2012 (dead link)
6. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "2012 Candidate Listing"

v • e

Judicial elections, 2012

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Florida • Georgia • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maryland • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

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Florida courts

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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