Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorNovember 2, 2018

Sports coaches are fond of saying, “championships are won in the offseason.” It pays homage to the hard work and dedication that goes into preparing for the season ahead. It also means that for winning teams, there really is no offseason. The same is true for Florida’s mayors, council members, commissioners and local elected officials. […]

Michael MolineOctober 31, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott has asked the Florida Supreme Court to reconsider allowing him to begin screening replacements for three of its justices, arguing the court may have “misapprehended” his arguments that he holds that authority. The court issued an order Oct. 15 declaring that only the next Governor has the authority to replace Justices R. Fred Lewis, Peggy A. […]

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2018

Progressive groups now are suing to stop a state nominating panel from recommending candidates to the Florida Supreme Court, saying it “lacks the authority to make its nominations before the vacancies occur.” The League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause filed Friday evening to halt the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). Earlier Friday, […]

Michael MolineOctober 25, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court, as promised, issued its written decision explaining why it allowed the Constitution Revision Commission’s victims’ rights amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot — and the majority swept aside complaints the ballot language is misleading. ”In this case, the ballot title and summary comply with the statutory word limitations. Additionally, the title and […]

Michael MolineOctober 19, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court has explained why it removed Dana Marie Santino from the Palm Beach County trial bench — and it looks like the days when judges could remain on the bench notwithstanding egregious campaign ethics violations are over. The high court stripped Santino of office in July amid complaints she’d engaged in ugly, “Donald Trump-like” […]

Michael MolineOctober 17, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday cleared three proposed constitutional amendments for the Nov. 6 ballot, narrowly rejecting a challenge by retired Supreme Court Justice Harry Lee Anstead that they improperly bundled multiple items. In an unsigned opinion, the majority ruled that the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) was within its authority under state law, and the state […]

Joe HendersonOctober 17, 2018

Ron DeSantis hasn’t mentioned President Donald Trump much now that the general election for Florida Governor is getting closer, but that might change after Monday’s stinging slap by the Florida Supreme Court at Gov. Rick Scott. After lawsuits by the Florida League of Women Voters and Common Cause, the state’s highest court ruled that Scott cannot nominate […]

Jim RosicaOctober 15, 2018

The state’s Supreme Court ruled Monday that outgoing Republican Gov. Rick Scott cannot appoint replacements for the court’s three upcoming vacancies. “The governor who is elected in the November 2018 general election (most likely Democrat Andrew Gillum or Republican Ron DeSantis) has the sole authority to fill the vacancies that will be created by the mandatory […]

Jim RosicaOctober 12, 2018

A review panel announced Friday it had decided to interview all 59 applicants for three upcoming Florida Supreme Court vacancies. The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) will meet Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 in Miami, and again Nov. 8 and Nov. 9 in Tampa. “This schedule will position the Florida Supreme Court JNC to […]

Jim RosicaOctober 9, 2018

Despite a looming legal challenge, nearly 60 people have applied for three upcoming vacancies on the Florida Supreme Court, including Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s former chief of staff. Carlos Muniz, now the general counsel to the U.S. Department of Education, was on a list of names provided to Florida Politics by Gov. Rick Scott‘s office […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court

For local officials, there is no offseason

Rick Scott seeks another shot at screening Supreme Court nominees

Order in the (Supreme) Court: Suit aims to short-circuit nominating process

Supreme Court explains its OK of victims’ rights ballot language

Florida Supreme Court cracking down on judicial campaign misconduct

Justices OK ‘bundling,’ amendments will go to voters

Joe Henderson: Supreme Court ruling brings out Mini-Me in Ron DeSantis

Supreme Court rules Rick Scott can’t name 3 new justices

Interviews scheduled for state Supreme Court vacancies

Florida Supreme Court openings get dozens of applications