On Friday, an attorney petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to order Governor Ron DeSantis to designate a circuit judge in the Tallahassee region, claiming the governor failed to meet a deadline mandated by the constitution.
In the court lawsuit, lawyer Maite C. Garcia argued that DeSantis had to name a judge within 60 days of the 2nd Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission sending him a slate of names on April 30. However, the petition claimed that the June 29 deadline had passed without an appointment.
According to the petition, Garcia, a taxpayer and practicing lawyer, wants her local circuit court to have a full complement of judges so that she can directly benefit from the quick and effective administration of criminal and civil justice. She would like to use her constitutionally guaranteed right to vote in the upcoming election on the governor’s choice to fill the current vacancy as a Second Circuit resident and voter.
Additionally, she would like the chance to run for the position herself in the 2026 election since she is qualified to serve as a circuit judge. DeSantis was given till July 14 by the Supreme Court to reply. The problem is with replacing Circuit Judge Robert Wheeler, who retired on March 31.
According to information on The Florida Bar website, DeSantis received the names of six lawyers—James Beville, C. Ian Garland, Jason Jones, Stephanie Newlin, Carlos Rey, and Steven Sellers—from the nominating commission as possible Wheeler successors. The counties of Leon, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Wakulla, and Jefferson comprise the 2nd Judicial Circuit. The petition states that attorneys with the ACLU Foundation of Florida are Garcia’s attorneys.
Florida News Service
