Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of a new Florida Supreme Court judge while in West Palm Beach on Friday morning.The latest: WPBF 25 News coverage on PoliticsIt happened at 11 am at the Richard & Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History MuseumJudge Renatha Francis accepted the appointment with her family and will start the new position in September.”I know I’ve said this before on prior occasions, but I’ll say it again,” Francis said as she accepted the role, “I am the epitome of the American dream.”Francis will fill a vacant role left by Judge Al Lawson. To be considered, a Judicial Nominating Commission agrees and selects qualified names, which are then investigated before being presented to the governor. The governor then has 60 days to choose from that list. “Judge Renatha Francis has an incredible life story that epitomizes the American dream and proves that those who come to our country have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and, through hard work and the application of their God-given talents, reach the highest heights of whatever field they choose,” said DeSantis. Video below: DeSantis announces appointmentDeSantis had chosen Francis for the same job in 2020, but she did not meet the requirements of being a member of the Florida Bar for a decade. The appointment was struck down, and Judge Jamie Grosshans was chosen for the role. Stay informed: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News“I’m incredibly honored and humbled by Governor DeSantis’ unwavering support for my ascension to the Florida Supreme Court,” said Francis. “I may be taking my seat on the bench two years later than anticipated, but as a student of history I continue to be in awe of this country’s respect for the rule of law and the freedoms guaranteed in the text of the United States Constitution. As a Supreme Court Justice I will apply the law as written by the people’s duly-elected representatives, knowing that I am a member of the judiciary in a system with separation of powers.” Francis is currently a judge in the 15th Circuit, which is Palm Beach County. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of The West Indies and her Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal Law School. Francis has a husband and two young sons. There will now be a 4-3 majority for DeSantis-appointed judges on the Florida Supreme Court. Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of a new Florida Supreme Court judge while in West Palm Beach on Friday morning.
Latest: WPBF 25 News coverage on Politics
It happened at 11 am at the Richard & Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum
Judge Renatha Francis accepted the appointment with her family and will start the new position in September.
“I know I’ve said this before on prior occasions, but I’ll say it again,” Francis said as she accepted the role, “I am the epitome of the American dream.”
Francis will fill a vacant role left by Judge Al Lawson. To be considered, a Judicial Nominating Commission agrees and selects qualified names, which are then investigated before being presented to the governor. The governor then has 60 days to choose from that list.
“Judge Renatha Francis has an incredible life story that epitomizes the American dream and proves that those who come to our country have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and, through hard work and the application of their God-given talents, reach the highest heights of whatever field they choose,” said DeSantis.
Video below: DeSantis announces appointment
DeSantis had chosen Francis for the same job in 2020, but she did not meet the requirements of being a member of the Florida Bar for a decade.
The appointment was struck down, and Judge Jamie Grosshans was chosen for the role.
Stay informed: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
“I’m incredibly honored and humbled by Governor DeSantis’ unwavering support for my ascension to the Florida Supreme Court,” said Francis. “I may be taking my seat on the bench two years later than anticipated, but as a student of history I continue to be in awe of this country’s respect for the rule of law and the freedoms guaranteed in the text of the United States Constitution. As a Supreme Court Justice I will apply the law as written by the people’s duly-elected representatives, knowing that I am a member of the judiciary in a system with separation of powers.”
Francis is currently a judge in the 15th Circuit, which is Palm Beach County. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of The West Indies and her Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal Law School. Francis has a husband and two young sons.
There will now be a 4-3 majority for DeSantis-appointed judges on the Florida Supreme Court.
Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.