Florida Voters Face Decisions on Supreme Court Justices Francis and Sasso

Florida voters are set to decide whether to retain two justices of the Florida Supreme Court, Renatha Francis and Meredith Sasso, during upcoming merit retention elections. Both justices have been controversial figures in recent court decisions, notably involving abortion rights, which have garnered significant public attention and scrutiny.

Renatha Francis, 46, a native of Jamaica, has been a figure of interest since her appointment by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Florida Supreme Court in 2022. Earlier in her career, Francis practised law after graduating from a now-closed Jacksonville institution in 2010. Her legal journey includes roles as a clerk at the First District Court of Appeal and serving at Miami-Dade County‘s court before climbing the judicial ranks. She has been involved in key decisions, such as concurring with rulings that shield police officers’ identities following the use of deadly force and dissenting from rate increases for electricity customers.

Meredith Sasso, 41, hails from Tallahassee and is an alumna of the University of Florida. Sasso began her ascent in the legal field working in civil law, with significant experience as a legal advisor in Governor Rick Scott‘s office. Appointed to the court by Governor DeSantis, Sasso’s significant contributions include her involvement in rulings that permit legislative interference in constitution-related ballot measures, including those on abortion rights and police conduct during public demonstrations.

The retention votes come against a backdrop of substantial political contention. Both justices were part of a 6-1 majority decision that curtailed the state’s abortion rights by questioning the interpretation of privacy protections outlined in the Florida Constitution’s section ratified in 1980, which opponents argue had historically safeguarded reproductive freedoms.

Critics, including Florida-based media outlets like the Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel, voice concern over the perceived political grooming and selection bias of justices, allegedly to align with Governor DeSantis’s conservative agenda. The justices, according to these sources, are part of a conservative bloc altering long-standing precedents.

Conservative circles, meanwhile, view the appointments favorably. John Stemberger of the Florida Family Policy Council has supported the judiciary shift under DeSantis, suggesting it fulfills long-standing conservative aims within the state.

As voters prepare to make their decisions, editorial boards, such as that of the Orlando Sentinel, urge voters to conduct independent research and engage in community discussions rather than relying solely on external endorsements. The controversy surrounding the court underscores the high stakes of the upcoming decisions, which could influence the judicial landscape in Florida for years to come.