Twelve attorneys, magistrates and judges submitted applications for two new seats on the bench in Northeast Florida, one seat on the Clay County Court and one seat on the 4th Judicial Circuit Court.
Four candidates applied for both openings.
The new judgeships were authorized by the state Legislature in its 2025 session.
The 4th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is reviewing the applications and contacting references provided by the applicants. After the review, all applicants will be interviewed by the commissioners who will deliberate and then provide three to six nominees for each seat to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The nominees will be interviewed in Tallahassee by the governor’s staff. DeSantis will either appoint one of the nominees or ask the commission to provide alternative nominees.
Clay County judge applicants:
• Joshua Beard, an assistant public defender in the 4th Judicial Circuit.
• Hector Murcia Bustos, an assistant state attorney in the 4th Judicial Circuit.
• Amber Donley, general magistrate in the 4th Judicial Circuit
• Ernie Dukes, an attorney with Morgan & Morgan in Jacksonville.
• Geraldine Hartin, partner at Hamilton & Hartin in Fleming Island.
The commission will interview the candidates beginning at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 22 at the Clay County Courthouse, 915 Walnut St. in Green Cove Springs.
The 4th Circuit judge applicants include Beard, Donley, Dukes, Hartin and:
• Marquita Green, general magistrate in the 4th Judicial Circuit.
• Jenny Higginbotham, Nassau County judge.
• Katelyn Johnston, assistant general counsel, city of Jacksonville.
• Matthew Lufrano, owner and shareholder at Lufrano Legal P.A.
• Kristina Mobley, Clay County judge.
• Joel Powell, an assistant state attorney in the 4th Judicial Circuit.
• Nicole Saunders, administrative law judge with the state Division of Administrative Hearings.
The commission will interview the candidates beginning at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 2 in Room 7139 at the Duval County Courthouse, 501 W. Adams St. in Jacksonville.
Except for deliberations, all proceedings of the commission are open to the public.