by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Monday marked the beginning of the qualifying period for potential Circuit and County Court judges and while the Duval Supervisor of Elections Office was quiet, the scene in Tallahassee is one that Beth Fleet doesn’t care to even imagine.
“I’m just glad I’m not over there right now,” said Fleet, candidate and records director for the Duval County elections office. “It’s going to be hectic.”
Hectic because qualifying paperwork for all of Florida’s potential Circuit Court judges – those who preside over more than one county – is required to go to Tallahassee, while paperwork for potential County Judges – those who preside over a single county – goes to Fleet and the Duval County office.
This year, only three County Court judges need to submit qualifying paperwork: Kevin Blasz of Group 13, Gary Flower of Group 14 and Angela Cox of Group 16. All three are incumbents and all are up for re-election.
Flower submitted his qualifying paperwork the acceptable 14 days in advance and is qualified, while Fleet said Cox and Blasz did not qualify on day one.
While each is currently unopposed, that could all change by the end of the week.
“Usually this is the week where unopposed incumbents hold their breath,” said Fleet. “I haven’t heard anything about anyone else entering, though.”
According to the State election Web site, 16 Circuit Court candidates (both incumbents and those seeking office) have filed and their status is considered “active.” Once they submit qualifying paperwork their status will be switched to “qualified.”
Getting the paperwork to Tallahassee can be a task in itself.
Chief Judge Donald Moran had scheduled business in the capital, his assistant said, and delivered his paperwork along with that of incumbents Jean Johnson, Gregg McCaulie, Lance Day, David Gooding, Peter Fryefield, John Skinner, Brad Stetson, Waddell Wallace and Mallory Cooper.
Others, such as Circuit Court Group 11 candidate Adrian Soud, chose to use a courier service to deliver the goods.
“I sent it Friday,” said Soud, shortly after dropping off courtesy paperwork to the local elections office. “So I should be qualified.”
Along with the qualifying paperwork, candidates had to submit a check – $5,480 for County Court judges and $5,803 for Circuit Court judges – to the state division of elections to cover the fees that go toward running the election.
The difference between submitting the paperwork and check by hand or sending it by courier service is small, said Fleet, and often is done for peace of mind.
“A lot of candidates just want to be 100 percent sure it gets in,” said Fleet. “But if they sent it in, a missed or illegible signature could delay things. If you hand it in yourself, any errors can usually be easily corrected.”
Who’s running?
So far, no incumbent judges have drawn an opponent. However, judicial hopefuls have until Friday at noon to qualify for Circuit Court, County Court, State Attorney or Public Defender.
Circuit Judge
Group 2 Jean Johnson (incumbent)
Group 4 Jim Daniel
Group 5 Gregg McCaulie (incumbent)
Group 10 Lance Day (incumbent)
Group 11 Mark Husley III, Adrian Soud
Group 12 Don Moran Jr. (incumbent)
Group 13 David Gooding (incumbent)
Group 14 Peter Fryefield (incumbent)
Group 19 Jeff Morrow
Group 21 John Skinner (incumbent)
Group 27 Brad Stetson (incumbent)
Group 28 Fred Buttner III, Virginia Norton
Group 30 Waddell Wallace (incumbent)
Group 32 Mallory Cooper (incumbent)
State Attorney Angela Corey (Rep), Jay Plotkin (Rep)
Public Defender Matthew Shirk (Rep), Bill White (Dem) — incumbent
U.S. Rep.
Group 3 * Corrine Brown — incumbent, Larry Penpek
Group 4 * Ander Crenshaw — incumbent, Jay McGovern
Group 6 * Cliff Stearns
* qualified