THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:
ELECTION NIGHT — THE RESULTS ARE IN … ALMOST
AS OF 1:53 A.M., 100% OF THE VOTES HAVE BEEN COUNTED:
767 of 767 precincts reporting.
A total of 244,454 voters cast ballots in Tuesday's Primary Election, representing approximately 19% of Miami-Dade County's registered voters.
Based on the results as they stand tonight, two judicial races are headed to a runoff on November 3rd, General Election Day.
CIRCUIT COURT — GROUP 5
There will be a runoff between Arthur "Marty" McNeil and Monica Segura.
CIRCUIT COURT — GROUP 69
There will also be a runoff between Rita Baez and Bonita Jones-Peabody.
COUNTY COURT — GROUP 25
And this one is razor thin.
Incumbent Judge Luis Perez-Medina currently trails challenger Maribel Diaz, an attorney with the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector's Office, by just 572 votes.
With the margin well under one-half of one percent, The Captain expects this race will be subject to Florida's recount procedures before anyone starts measuring the drapes in the judge's chambers.
For now, Maribel Diaz leads.
AND THE STUNNER OF THE NIGHT …
Incumbent Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz appears headed for defeat at the hands of 30-year-old attorney Destiny Goede Alvarez.
Alvarez's candidacy has generated controversy from the beginning.
First came "The Name Game," which Captain Justice previously reported on: Alvarez changed her name shortly before submitting her application to the Judicial Nominating Commission and later changed it again before qualifying to run for judge.
Then came her decision to challenge an incumbent Circuit Judge despite having been a member of The Florida Bar for barely more than five years—and without having tried a single jury trial.
And then came the money.
As we reported, Alvarez received campaign contributions from 25 Political Committees/PACs, with 24 contributing the maximum $1,000.
A substantial amount of political money and support lined up behind Alvarez, much of it from conservative-aligned political committees.
Tonight, that support appears to have paid off.
Barring a significant change in the remaining votes, Destiny Goede Alvarez will become one of Miami-Dade County's newest Circuit Court Judges.
AND FINALLY …
Congratulations to Assistant Public Defender/Judge-Elect Renee Gordon, who wins election to the Circuit Court on her third try.
And congratulations to incumbent Judge Spencer Eig, who has won another term on the Circuit Court bench.
Two runoffs. One race separated by just a few hundred votes. And an incumbent Circuit Judge apparently headed for defeat.
Not a boring night in Miami-Dade judicial politics.
CIRCUIT COURT
GROUP 5
Arthur "Marty" McNeil - 42%
Monica Segura - 36%
Alex Annunziato - 22%
GROUP 35
Renee Gordon - 63%
Cristobal Padron - 37%
GROUP 67
Judge Mavel Ruiz - 111,142 (49.54%)
Destiny Alvarez - 113,215 (50.46%)
(Alvarez leads by 2,073 votes)
GROUP 69
Rita Baez - 37%
Bonita Jones-Peabody - 35%
Yaneth Baez - 28%
GROUP 76
Spencer Eig - 56%
Yenly Dominguez - 44%
COUNTY COURT
GROUP 25
Judge Luis Perez-Medina - 109,982 (49.87%)
Maribel Diaz - 110,554 (50.13%)
(Diaz leads by 572 votes)
Captain4Justice@gmail.com
The multi candidate races will have November runoffs because no one got over 50%, correct ?
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable that a lawyer with absolutely no trial experience who changes her name to her husband‘s to pander to the Hispanic community beats a well regarded experienced trial judge. That’s Miami for you
ReplyDeleteIs Mavel Ruiz "a well regarded experienced trial judge"?
DeleteIt was sad that Judge Lobree was targeted by Hispanic female without any real experience who after becoming a judge collected multiple JQC complaints and became an angry person lost last night to the future chief judge if the 11th judicial circuit because let’s be honest. The future is bright with a vibrant new face who wants to learn.
DeleteStop complaining because what happened to Judge Lobree was terrible. What happened last night was inevitable. We got rid of a terrible slacker who was never prepared and became an angry woman.
What are Goede’s actual qualifications? Zero trials? Working at her dad’s firm? And now we’re already calling her the “future Chief Judge of Miami”? This sounds suspiciously like the same talking points from the comments under the Political Cortadito article under the username Nick Alvarez??
DeleteCorrect. Is Miami-Dade ready for it?
ReplyDeleteCorrect Rumpole. Please see my updated post confirming the two runoffs set for November 3rd.
ReplyDeleteI gave Mavel a chance several times, but she was essentially a displeasure to practice before. Not that I liked voting for a MAGA kid, but oh well. Maybe she will turn out all right. If Mavel had more support from the bar, she may have gotten over the vote count she needed.
ReplyDeleteInsane that Goede’s first EVER trial will be from the bench as a judge. Let’s see how long she lasts there—or whether she finds herself with an opponent six years from now. Elections have consequences, and Miami-Dade just lost an incredible, experienced judge who has the respect and support of so many in the legal community. Time will tell.…
ReplyDelete"If at first you don't succeed, try, try, and try again." - Alvarez campaign slogan
ReplyDeleteRump, I’m so glad you’re doing these election posts despite your retirement. Thank you for staying on top of all of this!
ReplyDeleteYou are not a careful reader. I’ve now repeatedly said I was taking a sabbatical and would continue blogging Thanks for the otherwise nice
Deletewords I guess.