JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Florida's Republican Party has its sights set on three state Supreme Court justices.
It wants Peggy Quince, Fred Lewis, and Barbara Pariente off the bench, because of their decision not to seek the death penalty for a man convicted of tying a woman to a tree and setting her on fire.
A statement on its website read, "The fact that the United States Supreme Court voted, unanimously, to throw out their legal opinion, raises serious questions as to their competence to understand the law and serve on the bench, and demonstrates that all three justices are too extreme not just for Florida, but for America, too."
Nelson Cuba, President of the local Fraternal Order of Police and a Republican himself, is leading the charge against the GOP's request.
He said, "We want justices to be impartial and not to have to look over their shoulder at who for or against them because they made a certain decision."
The police union, and now the firefighters union, questions the party's motivation behind the request to remove the justices. While they are appointed positions, every six years voters are asked whether they should keep their jobs, based on their merits.
Cuba said, "The opponents of these three justices talk about a case that occurred in 2003. In 2006, if this was such a big concern, these justices were up for retention then. How come the issue was never brought up in 2006?"
Mark Treglio with the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters agreed. He said, "It's an issue that should not be politicized. Let them stand on their merits, which have been excellent throughout the past. And let them stand for themselves."
If the justices are removed, it clears the way for Gov. Scott to appoint new justices. And both unions believe that blurs the line between the executive and judicial branches of government.
Treglio said, "We're supposed to have three branches of government. That's a 4th grade social studies. And we're getting away from that right now."
It's ultimately up to you to decide if the justices keep their jobs. The election is Nov. 6.
To learn more about the issues, and see a sample ballot, visit www.duvalelections.com.
