Commission Selects Six Finalists for Tallahassee Judgeship
The 2nd Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission has named six lawyer finalists to fill an upcoming vacancy in Tallahassee.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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The Judicial Nominating Commission has recommended six lawyer finalists to Governor Ron DeSantis to fill a seat in the 2nd Judicial Circuit. This vacancy follows the decision of Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey to retire from her position.
Why it matters
The appointment process is critical for the local judiciary as the new judge will manage felony cases, juvenile matters, and significant civil lawsuits in the Tallahassee area. Governor DeSantis is expected to fill the seat with a candidate aligned with his originalist and textualist legal philosophy.
The Judicial Nominating Commission interviewed applicants before selecting the six finalists. The successful candidate will earn an annual salary of $200,836 and handle civil litigation involving claims of $50,000 or more.
The players
Ron DeSantis
He is the Governor of Florida who holds the constitutional authority to appoint judges to fill midterm vacancies in the state circuit court system.
Angela Dempsey
She is a retiring Circuit Judge of the 2nd Judicial Circuit who is stepping down to provide personal care for a family member.
Sarah Kathryn Dugan
She is one of the six lawyer finalists named by the commission for the 2nd Judicial Circuit judicial vacancy.
The details
Judge Angela Dempsey announced her retirement to care for her mother, who is struggling with a serious, degenerative medical condition. The governor has a 60-day window to appoint a replacement following the submission of the commission's recommendations.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: The commission held interviews and finalized the list of six candidates.
December 28, 2026: The resignation of Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey becomes effective.
January 5, 2027: Governor Ron DeSantis leaves his current term in office.
Legal Context
This selection process follows the standard Florida judicial appointment protocol governed by the 2nd Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission. It mirrors recent efforts by the state administration to consolidate an originalist legal philosophy across the circuit court system.
Local residents will be directly impacted by the new judge who will oversee felony, juvenile, and high-stakes civil proceedings. The appointment will determine the bench's approach to the specific legal challenges currently facing the 2nd Judicial Circuit.
The takeaway
The upcoming appointment remains a significant shift for the local 2nd Judicial Circuit bench. Residents can expect a new judge to be seated within the next two months to ensure the continued processing of circuit-level legal matters.
Further reading
For more background on the local court system, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tallahassee Democrat.
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