Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Interviews start tomorrow to fill two vacancies on the 1st District Court of Appeal, with the court’s Judicial Nominating Commission required to then send a list of finalists to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
With DeSantis having the appointment power, one candidate sticks out among the 26 applicants: Circuit Judge Robert Long of Tallahassee.
Like DeSantis, Long has been an officer in the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG). He’s 37; DeSantis is 40. His four kids range in age from 2 to 8; DeSantis has two small children.
His last job before becoming a judge was general counsel to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Long does not have any recent appellate practice experience, according to a redacted copy of his application. (That didn’t stop him from applying last year for a Supreme Court vacancy, however.)
He is, however, a member of the Federalist Society, his application says. The group is a “hugely powerful, nationwide organization of conservative lawyers,” as NPR once described it.
DeSantis was “active in the society since his days at Harvard Law School,” according to the Tampa Bay Times, and the Governor’s chief legal adviser — Joe Jacquot — also has been involved with the group.
As a side note, Allen Winsor — one of the 1st DCA judge seats to be filled — was a member. Winsor now is a federal judge, as is T. Kent Wetherell, whose departure created the other appellate vacancy.
And DeSantis has said he wants to name judges who share his conservative judicial philosophy: “I will only appoint judges who understand (that) the proper role of the courts is to apply the law and Constitution as written, not to legislate from the bench. The Constitution, not the judiciary, is supreme.”
The interviews take place Thursday and Friday at the 1st DCA’s courthouse in Tallahassee (see below for details).
Evening Reads
“Space Force to Florida? It’s Donald Trump’s call, Ron DeSantis says” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Can states change the electoral college ahead of 2020? Supreme Court may have to decide” via David G. Savage of the Los Angeles Times
“Supreme Court dubious on so-called ‘utility choice’ amendment” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“Hurricanes, central to Rick Scott branding, now on DeSantis’ plate” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Florida leaders consider better approaches to handle the mentally ill’s revolving jail door” via Michael Moline of the Florida Phoenix
“Dorian could be a Category 3 hurricane when it reaches Florida” via Florida Politics
“Hurricane Dorian sideswipes Jeffrey Epstein’s notorious ‘Pedophile Island’” via Adriana Brasileiro of the Miami Herald
“Arthenia Joyner hints that she will challenge Darryl Rouson” via William March of the Tampa Bay Times
“Florida Democrats get their guy — and a primary — for flippable Miami state Senate seat” via David Smiley and Samantha Gross of the Miami Herald
“State House candidate Benny Valentin accused of running campaign out of church, school office” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel
Quote of the Day
“Puerto Rico is one of the most corrupt places on earth. Their political system is broken and their politicians are either Incompetent or Corrupt.” — President Donald Trump, tweeting as Hurricane Dorian was on track to hit the island.
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Wake Up Early?
The state university system’s Board of Governors will meet after holding committee meetings. Among the numerous issues will be approval of 2020-2021 legislative budget requests for the university system. Committees start at 8:30 a.m., with full board at 1 p.m. or upon completion of earlier meetings, Florida Gulf Coast University, Cohen Center, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers.
The 1st District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission will begin interviewing candidates for two seats on the Tallahassee-based appeals court, which hears cases from across North Florida. Interviews start at 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.
The 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission will interview candidates for a new circuit judge position created this year by the Legislature. The 12th Circuit is made up of DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties. That’s at 9 a.m., Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center, 2002 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
Seaport officials will conclude three days of meetings with a Florida Ports Council board meeting. That’s at 9:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.
State Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, a St. Johns Republican, is slated to hold “mobile” office hours. That’s at 10 a.m., St. Johns County Convention Center at World Golf Village, 500 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine.
The Florida Supreme Court is expected to resume issuing regular weekly opinions after a summer recess. That’s at 11 a.m.
The Associated Industries of Florida’s annual Florida Water Forum will start, with panel discussions on issues such as water utility challenges, water infrastructure funding and septic tanks. That’s at 1 p.m., Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando, 6601 Adventure Way, Orlando.
A fundraising reception is scheduled for Republican Mike Giallombardo, who is running in Lee County’s House District 77. The seat will be open next year because House Republican Leader Dane Eagle of Cape Coral faces term limits. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Riverside Avenue Villas, 13681 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.
