by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Attorneys Virginia Norton and Steven Combs have both filed to run for the newly-created Fourth Judicial Circuit County Court seat. The seat, along with three Circuit Court seats, was created by the Florida legislature during the past legislative session.
Norton is an attorney with the Office of General Counsel while Combs is a family law attorney and partner with Lanigan & Combs, a boutique firm on Hendricks Avenue in the Miramar area.
This is Norton’s third attempt at a County Court seat. Twice she has sought the appointment to a vacancy and made the short list that’s sent by the local Judicial Nominating Committee to Gov. Jeb Bush the second time. Norton said her continued pursuit of a seat on the County Court bench is a result of her desire to make a career of civil service.
“My life is dedicated to public service and I think my real talent is in my expertise of the law,” said Norton, a graduate of the Bolles School, the University of Virginia and the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law.
Norton said she pursued the County seat through appointment twice because she believes her work through the General Counsel’s office has prepared her for a seat on the bench. Much of what she does involves interpreting and practicing local law.
Neither Norton nor Combs will have much time to do the things associated with running for public office – raising money and campaigning. Both filed paperwork with the Supervisor of Elections Office within the past two weeks. Qualifying begins at noon on July 17 and ends at noon July 21. Since there likely isn’t time to gather enough signed petitions, both will probably qualify by paying the $5,227.72 fee, which is 4 percent of the annual salary of the job as of July 1.
The only qualification for running for a seat on the bench is that a candidate must be a member of The Florida Bar and in good standing for five years preceding the election. All four new judges will start Jan. 2 , 2007.
Norton said she doesn’t think running will be any easier or more difficult than seeking an appointment and she’s not sure how much it will take to win the countywide election.
“I have been involved in the Jacksonville community all my life,” she said. “I am excited to go out and meet people and let them know who Virginia Norton is. It’s a great opportunity for me.”
Norton said she has both the blessing and support of her boss, General Counsel Rick Mullaney. Also, Norton does not have to resign in order to run and, should she lose, she may retain her job with the OGC.
Combs went to the University of Florida for his undergraduate degree and finished law school at UF in 1991. He was General Master for Clay County until October 2004 when he became the general counsel for the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
“I am putting my team together right now and I am looking forward to the election,” said Combs, declining to add much more. “I’ll have more to say in the not-so-distant-future.”