DeSantis to Appoint Next Florida Supreme Court Justice ‘Devoted’ to Florida, Constitution
June 13, 2022 Updated 2:22 P.M. ET
TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – The Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission provided Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Office with the list of nominees to fill the Florida Supreme Court vacancy Monday.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the members of the Judicial Nominating Commission for recommending such an exemplary list of strong constitutionalist jurists and practitioners,” DeSantis said.
The nominee will take the place of Justice Alan Lawson who is retiring.
The Governor’s office said DeSantis will select a candidate who has a “keen legal mind” and is “devoted to the Florida and U.S. Constitutions.” The Governor will make his decision based on the merit and judicial philosophy of the candidates. Here is the list of nominees:
-Palm Beach Circuit Judge Renatha S. Francis who the governor tried to appoint in 2020
-Denise Harle who is senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom
-1st District Court of Appeal Judge Robert Long
-13th Judicial Circuit Judge Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe
-5th District Court of Appeal Judge Meredith Sasso
-First District Court of Appeal Judge Adam Tanenbaum
“The JNC process is designed to select high-quality candidates for our courts. I would like to thank the Commissioners for their hard work and diligence. They have left me with a difficult choice, but I look forward to appointing our next Supreme Court Justice in the coming weeks,” he said.
The Supreme Court JNC submitted six nominees to the Governor. The Governor now has 60 days to appoint a justice. The JNC interviewed eligible applicants and then voted on which ones to recommend to the Governor.
