Gov. DeSantis appoints Jonathan Ramsey, Kelvin Wells to County Courts in Alachua, Walton

Gov. Ron DeSantis is filling a pair of judicial vacancies in North and Northwest Florida.

He’s sending Gainesville lawyer Jonathan Ramsey to the Alachua County Court and Kelvin Wells of DeFuniak Springs to the Walton County Court.

Ramsey has worked as an associate at Fine Farkash & Parlapiano PA since 2018 and previously served as an Assistant State Attorney in the 8th Judicial Circuit.

He earned his Juris Doctor and master’s degree from the University of Florida after attaining a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.

Florida Division of Elections records show Ramsey has made five political contributions since 2017. Four, totaling $12,000, were to the Florida Justice PAC, which supports “pro-justice candidates” in elections. He also gave $50 to Republican business attorney Tommy Zeichman’s unsuccessful 2018 House District 89 campaign.

Ramsey’s appointment on Wednesday marks the first time he’ll head to a judgeship.

The same can’t be said of Wells, who has served on the 1st Judicial Circuit since 2004 and previously presided over cases as a judge on the Okaloosa County Court.

Wells earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama.

He hasn’t made a political donation since 2001, when he gave $500 to the re-election campaign of Republican ex-Gov. Jeb Bush.

Ramsey will replace Judge David Green, who stepped down after 27 years on the county bench. He notified DeSantis of his resignation, effective Feb. 29, by letter last year.

“I have been blessed to work with a great team of judges, judicial staff, Clerk of Courts, employees, bailiffs, attorneys and others, all of whom have worked hard to serve the people of our great state and to see that our courts provide justice to the very best of our ability,” he wrote. “After all these years, I still enjoy coming to work each and every day, but I feel that the time has come for me to leave the bench and enjoy family, hobbies, and other opportunities to serve while I am still in good health. I also look forward to serving as a senior judge in the future.”

Wells, meanwhile, will replace the late Judge Walter Green, who retired in January after 33 combined years as an Assistant State Attorney and County Court Judge. He died less than three months later, on March 26.

“Working with my fellow judges has been among the most significant and enjoyable responsibilities of my career,” he wrote in a Sept. 13 letter to DeSantis tendering his resignation. “I’m thankful to God and my family for their patience, love and support that allowed me to sustain and enjoy my career as a public servant.”