Incumbent judges in Broward County are facing one of their safest years in recent memory, with only three drawing a challenge for the August primary.
They’re even safer in Palm Beach County, where 12 judges are up for reelection and none are opposed.
Judicial races are often among the most difficult for voters to weigh, largely because the rules don’t allow candidates to criticize each other, make partisan appeals or talk about how they will decide controversial cases. Candidates are left discussing their personal histories and commitments to civic causes.
In recent years, Broward has seen its share of incumbents challenged for a variety of reasons, including controversial decisions made from the bench and a public distaste for appointments made by Republican governors in the state’s bluest county.
That doesn’t seem to be much of a factor this year. Judge Jessica Marra was appointed to the bench last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis, but her only challenger is Andres Chavez Sanz, a write-in candidate whose name won’t even show up on the ballot.
Defense lawyer Johnny Weekes is challenging Broward Circuit Judge Stefanie Moon, who was elected to her first term six years ago. And Judge Carol Lisa Phillips drew a challenge from Orlando lawyer Christina Grace Arguelles.
In Broward County Court, Judge Kathleen McHugh is the only incumbent facing an opponent, Scott Russell Shapiro.
Other county court races do not feature incumbents. It’s not unusual for lawyers to challenge each other for seats that are vacated by judges who choose not to run again. That’s what’s happening in Palm Beach County’s only county court race: Lourdes Casanova, Douglas Leifert and Jean Marie Middleton are running to replace retiring Judge Ted Booras.
In Broward:
Alex Arreaza, Woody Clermont and Samuel Ford Stark are competing to replace retiring Judge Robert Diaz.
Corey Brian Freidman and Tamar Hamilton are running to replace retiring Judge Robert Lee.
And Kathleen Elaine Angione will face Joseph Zager to replace Judge Louis Schiff.
Judicial races will be decided in an Aug. 20 primary. In races with more than two candidates, the election will go to a runoff unless one of the candidates gets more than 50% of the vote.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.