Francis, Sasso cruise to Florida Supreme Court retentions
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Supreme Court Justices Renatha Francis and Meredith Sasso easily won merit-retention elections Tuesday, getting more than 60% of the vote.
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Francis to the Supreme Court in 2022, while Sasso was appointed in 2023.
Under Florida law, Supreme Court justices and appellate-court judges go on the ballot periodically for voters to determine whether they should be retained. They do not run against other candidates.
In Tuesday's election, 63.2% of voters supported retaining Francis, and 62.4% supported retaining Sasso, according to results posted on the state Division of Elections website. The other five justices were not on the ballot.
In the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Burton C. Conner (65.34%) and Jeffrey T. Kuntz (62.99%) were retained. The district encompasses Palm Beach, Broward, St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties.
They were appointed by Gov. Rick Scott.
In the Third District Court of Appeal: Kevin Emas (73.69%), Ivan F. Fernandez (70.29%) and Norma Shepard Lindsey (68.33%) were retained. Miami-Dade and Monroe counties are in this district.
Fernandez and Lindsey were appointed by Scott. Emas was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist.
