Who is on the Downtown Miami Ballot – the Judicial Seats

Last week, I posted a lengthy article outlining my choices for the non-judicial candidates running for various offices in Miami-Dade County. I don’t pretend to be an expert, nor impartial. But I do take voting seriously, and I do a lot of research before making my decisions. Last week’s article and this one are essentially the results of that research.

The Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida is the largest in the state and the fourth largest trial court in the nation. There are currently five seats on the ballot: Group 55, 57, 65, 67, and 75. Two are open seats, and three have incumbents fending off challengers. There are also two county court races on the ballot: Group 9 and Group 24.

My thoughts & picks

For Circuit Judge, Group 55 : Olanike “Nike” Adebayo

Olanike “Nike” Adebayo and Joe Perkins are running for the seat Judge Jeri Beth Cohen is vacating. There is a lot to like about both candidates.

Joe Perkins was rated 77.02% Qualified/Exceptionally Qualified by the members of Dade County Bar Association in their 2020 Judicial Poll; and he received endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police, Hispanic Police Officers Association, National Organization for Women, South Florida Council of Firefighters, South Florida Police Benevolent Association; and a co-endorsement from SAVE. Perkins is also a former Finance Chair for the Dade Democratic Party. Perkins was recently called out by the Miami Herald for misrepresenting an endorsement

Olanike “Nike” Adebayo received a 90.44% Qualified/Exceptionally Qualified rating from the Dade County Bar Association 2020 Judicial Poll. Adebayo is an attorney with extensive jury trial experience.  She currently works in the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel in Miami. Adebayo has a total of 13 years experience at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, and 5 years with the Police Legal Bureau for the Miami-Dade Police Department. I find it interesting (in perhaps a good way) that with this background, it was her opponent, Joe Perkins, who picked up endorsements from the police associations. Adebayo spent 6 years at the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Third Region of Florida; and has received endorsements from the Miami Herald, AFL-CIO Judicial, League of Prosecutors Florida, United Teachers of Dade, United Faculty of Miami-Dade College, Emgage Action, 644 Democrats, Michael Froomkin, and Leah Watson. The only marks against her, from my perspective, is that she was also endorsed by conservative group, United Christians of Florida, and received an “acceptable” rating from Florida Family Action. That SAVE co-endorsed her anyway reassures me, so my vote goes to Olanike “Nike” Adebayo.

For Circuit Judge, Group 57: Roderick Vereen

With Judge Bernard S. Shapiro stepping down, this race between Roderick Vereen and Carmen Carbaga was easy for me to choose. Roderick Vereen received a 89.84% Qualified/Exceptionally Qualified rating from the Dade County Bar Association 2020 Judicial Poll; and he has been endorsed by SAVE, AFL-CIO Judicial, Emgage Action, United Teachers of Dade, 644 Democrats, and the Miami Herald

Carmen Carbaga, on the other hand, received a 65.14% Qualified/Exceptionally Qualified rating from the Dade County Bar Association 2020 Judicial Poll. Her endorsements, however, are really what made her a “no” vote for me: United Christians of Florida, Christian Family Coalition Florida, and an “acceptable” rating from Florida Family Action.

For Circuit Judge Group 65: Denise Martinez-Scanziani

This one was not quite as easy for me. Denise Martinez-Scanziani is running against incumbent Thomas J. Rebull.

Rebull scored a 89.84% Qualified/Exceptionally Qualified rating from the Dade County Bar Association 2020 Judicial Poll; and he has been endorsed by the Miami Herald, United Teachers of Dade, AFL-CIO Judicial, League of Prosecutors Florida, and Michael Froomkin. He also received endorsements from the United Christians of Florida, Florida Family Action, Christian Family Coalition Florida (& I suspect you know how I feel about that by now).

Denise Martinez-Scanziani received a somewhat lower 73.82% Qualified/Exceptionally Qualified rating from the Dade County Bar Association 2020 Judicial Poll. Scanziani does have over 20 years of law experience, including appellate level litigation; and she is one of only 33 attorneys in Miami-Dade County who is board certified in marital and family law. I am particularly impressed with her pro bono work as a Guardian Ad Litem for children, and that she was a staff attorney with Legal Aid representing senior citizens. Scanziani has been endorsed 644 Democrats, SAVE, and Leah Weston. So while I know it is a long shot – incumbent judges are typically retained – I’m giving my vote for Circuit Judge Group 65 to Denise Martinez-Scanziani.

For Circuit Judge Group 67: Mavel Ruiz

In another easy choice for me, incumbent Mavel Ruiz is running against Marcia Girodano Hansen.

Mavel Ruiz was elected to the bench in 2014 and has received a 82.85% Qualified / Exceptionally Qualified rating from the Dade County Bar Association’s 2020 Judicial Poll. Ruiz has also racked up endorsements from organizations and people I trust: SAVE, the Miami Herald, League of Prosecutors Florida, AFL-CIO Judicial, United Teachers of Dade, United Faculty of Miami-Dade College, Emgage Action, County Public Defender Carlos Martinez, 644 Democrats, Michael Froomkin, and Leah Weston.

Hansen, the non-incumbent, scored a 73.82% Qualified/Exceptionally Qualified rating from the Dade County Bar Association 2020 Judicial Poll; and received an “acceptable” rating by: Florida Family Action, Christian Family Coalition Florida. Three strikes, Hanson’s out for me.

For Circuit Judge Group 75: Dava J. Tunis

I don’t know Rosy Anette Aponte, the candidate running against incumbent Dava Tunis, but apparently those who do really, really, really don’t like her. She received just 29.08% Qualified / Exceptionally Qualified on the Dade County Bar Association 2020 Judicial Poll. To be clear, that’s a whopping 70.92% unqualified rating for Aponte.

Judge Dava J. Tunis, on the other hand, earned a 91.36% Qualified / Exceptionally Qualified rating on the Dade County Bar Association’s 2020 Judicial Poll. Tunis has also been endorsed by the Miami Herald, SAVE, AFL-CIO Judicial, United Teachers of Dade, League of Prosecutors Florida, Action, 644 Democrats, Leah Watson. Michael Froomkinhad this to say about Judge Tunis:

Judge Tunis has 34 years of practice experience, including almost 20 years’ experience as a Judge, five on the County Court, fifteen on the Circuit Court. She was an Assistant Public Defender from 1986-2000. Despite this, in 2000, she was appointed to the County Court bench by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. In 2005, Bush elevated Judge Tunis to the Circuit Court. The Dade County Bar Association awarded Judge Tunis a Judicial Lifetime Achievement Award and the President of the Florida Bar awarded her the President’s Award of Merit. Oh, and she’s a U.Miami Law graduate too.

Michael Froomkin at Discourse.net

This one was a no-brainer for me. I’m voting for Judge Tunis to retain her position with the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, Group 75.

For County Judge Group 9: Miguel Mirabal

Miguel “Mike” Mirabal is running against incumbent Joseph Mansfield, which doesn’t bode well for Mirabal’s chances.

Add to that Mansfield’s 90.55% Qualified / Exceptionally Qualified rating from the Dade County Bar Association 2020 Judicial Poll, 16 years as an Assistant State Attorney, and 3 years as a judge. It’s no wonder Mansfield as received endorsements (however tepid some of them are) from the Miami Herald, AFL-CIO Judicial, United Teachers of Dade, League of Prosecutors Florida, Emgage Action, Michael Froomkin, and Leah Watson. Mansfield was appointed by Rick Scott (NOT a ‘plus’ in my book), and endorsed by Florida Family Action. What I really can’t get past, however, is Judge Mansfield’s membership with the right wing Federalist Society.

The same Federalist Society that is helping Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump pack the courts with conservative judges that will shape public policy for decades. From a New York Times Opinion piece:

The Federalist Society is not just a debating society. It is a powerful and partisan organization that plays a large role in selecting federal judges who will then reliably rule for Republican Party and conservative interests

Fortunately, I really like Miguel Mirabal for the seat. Although his relative inexperience scored him just 62.92% Qualified / Exceptionally Qualified rating from the Dade County Bar Association 2020 Judicial Poll, he does have 16 years as an attorney with international experience, including holding concurrent law degrees in Spain. He is currently corporate in-house counsel at Global Legal in Coral Gables and has practiced law in Florida, Spain and Latin America. I like that Mirabal had internships with U.S. Customs/Homeland Security and with a firm specializing in immigration, corporate & real estate law. Similar to my thoughts with Melba Pearson, Mirabal’s experience on “both sides” of immigration law helps make him a better candidate. I am particularly impressed with his public service, which includes pro bono legal assistance for domestic violence & abuse survivor organizations, and as a Guardian Ad Litem. Mirabal has also done pro bono work for nonprofits such as Global Humanitarian and Protect the Children, REN21 and SAVE AMAZONAS (yes, those definitely got my tree-hugging attention), and the D’Amor Foundation. Mirabal was formerly an adjunct college professor and has served in several mentor-mentee programs for high school students.

“Having successfully managed an international law firm while handling cases in three continents, has given me a deep understanding and appreciation when dealing with different ethnicities, cultures and legal jurisdictions.”

Mike Mirabel

I agree, so while it may be only one vote, Miguel Mirabal has mine for County Judge Group 9

For County Judge Group 24: Christine Bandín

The last judicial race on my ballot is between Christine Bandín (incumbent) and Shaun Spector.

Bandín scores an 88.75% Qualified / Exceptionally Qualified rating from the Dade County Bar Association 2020 Judicial Poll. Bandín is assigned to the Domestic Violence Division, and is endorsed by 644 Democrats, Miami Herald, SAVE, United Teachers of Dade, AFL-CIO Judicial, League of Prosecutors Florida, Michael Froomkin, and Leah Watson. I’m not thrilled with her endorsements from conservative groups United Christians of Florida and Florida Family Action, nor that she was appointed by Rick Scott… at least she doesn’t appear to be a member of the Federalist Society.

Shaun Spector doesn’t have enough experience for the bench, in my opinion. Spector did receive a 63.13% Qualified / Exceptionally Qualified rating from the Dade County Bar Association 2020 Judicial Poll, but his work history is all over the place. Spector was employed by Markowitz, Ringel, Trusty & Hartog (one of my favorite Miami Law Firms) for 4 years, but this was his longest held position. He has only 1 or 2 years anywhere else. Add to that his public service record. In 2019, Spector was appointed to the Community Relations Board for the City of Miami, but he has already left that position for the Nuisance Abatement and Code Enforcement Boards. Over all, his lack of stability, experience or other redeeming expertise means my vote has to be for Christine Bandín to retain her judgeship.