Circuit judges face no opponents as deadline passes

All of the 12 candidates for Circuit Court Judge in Judicial Circuit 10 will be elected without opposition.

The qualifying deadline passed April 29, and no challengers filed to oppose the candidates, 11 of whom are incumbent judges. The results will not be certified until after the primary elections on Aug. 23.

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The current judges who faced no opposition are Susan Barber, Lori Winstead, Kelly Butz, Keith Spoto, Ellen Masters, Reinaldo Ojeda, J. Kevin Abdoney, Heather Beato, Angela Cowden, James Yancey and Jennifer Swenson. Brenda Ramirez was the only candidate for an open seat on the circuit bench.

Ramirez said in a news release that she will be the first Latina judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit, which covers Polk, Highland and Hardee counties. The judges’ terms begin Jan. 1.

The qualifying deadline also passed without any candidates filing to oppose Judges Robert Fegers, Mary Catherine Green and Kevin Kohl.

The other county judge’s race has drawn five candidates: John Flynn, Ruth Moracen Knight, Carmalita Lall, Adam David Patton and Tara Wheat.