In a tight race, Soud edges Mark Hulsey
by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Honor is defined as honesty, fairness, or integrity in one’s beliefs and actions and two candidates felt they abided by these parameters during the race for a judgeship in the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court.
Adrian Soud has the opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps after winning the Group 11 seat in the Circuit that serves Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties. His father, A.C. Soud, was also a Circuit Court judge.
“(Being a judge) is the most important job in elected government bar none,” said Adrian Soud. “The Fourth Judicial Circuit has had judges that have made the bench proud and to be able to serve with them has a profound meaning to me. My dad being a part of that adds to that and he left some very big shoes to fill.”
Soud was also impressed with the way the campaign focused on experience and qualifications.
“Mark (Hulsey) ran a very honorable campaign,” said Soud. “I didn’t know him before the campaign and I enjoyed getting to know him.”
Hulsey also appreciated the tone of the campaign.
“I’m proud of the fact that Mr. Soud and I ran an honorable race for an honorable position,” said Hulsey. “I’m disappointed that I lost, but I’m not finished. I have a lot to offer the community and I will be back.”
Soud received the majority of votes in all three counties, but did not get more than 53 percent in any of his victories. His largest margin was 52.57 percent in Duval County where he received 47,479 votes. Hulsey’s highest margin was just over 48 percent in Nassau and Clay counties. About 20 percent of Duval County voters turned out at the polls with 96,301 of 495,316 registered voters filing ballots.
Soud will fill the seat of retiring Circuit Court Judge Charles Mitchell. He is currently practicing with his brother Jeff at the Soud Law Firm.
356-2466
Friend Kyle Rouse, Mayor John Peyton, Virginia Norton’s father Ray and Norton at her party.
Persistence pays off as Norton earns judgeship
by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The Ps were abundant when one of the Fourth Judicial Circuit’s newest judges talked about her victory Tuesday night.
Persistent. Positive. Proud.
These were all words used by Virginia Norton to describe a campaign that earned her more than 50 percent of the votes in all three of the Circuit’s counties: Duval, Clay and Nassau.
“I think what put me over the top is that I ran a positive campaign based on my qualifications and my record,” said Norton. “This has been my dream since I was a child. I am humbled and honored that the people of Florida have put me in this position.”
Norton’s father Ray felt his daughter was born to be a judge.
“I always knew she’d make a good judge,” said Ray. “She’s been judging me since she was five. I’m really proud of her.”
Norton’s widest margin of victory was in Duval County where she earned nearly 63.5 percent of the vote with 58,273 ballots. Opponent Rick Buttner had his highest vote total in Clay County with 45.5 percent of the vote, 13,496. Norton garnered 16,168. A majority of Nassau County voters chose Norton as well with nearly 62 percent of the 11,492 votes cast her way. The race decided who will fill the seat being vacated by retiring Circuit Court Judge Bernard Nachman.
This was the fourth time Norton chased after her dream of a seat on the bench. She applied for appointments for judgeships twice, making the short list on her second attempt. She campaigned in 2006 to become a Duval County judge, but lost to Dawn Hudson after receiving 44 percent of the votes.
“If you really want something you have to work hard for it,” said Norton. “This is a message for anyone who has ever been told you don’t fit in. You just have to keep trying.”
Norton is currently assistant general counsel for the City of Jacksonville.
356-2466