Florida bills would make State Attorney and Public Defender races nonpartisan

Two Duval County legislators have introduced bills that would make the state attorney and public defender nonpartisan races.

Both of those races caused an uproar in Northeast Florida last year.

The public defender’s race between Matt Shirk and Charlie Cofer, and the state attorney’s office race between Melissa Nelson and Angela Corey were both closed off only to Republican primary voters after write-in candidates entered the races.

“I think it’s an excellent idea. Coming from being a judge, which was a nonpartisan position within the justice system, I understand the importance of keeping partisan politics out of our criminal justice system.” said newly-elected public defender Charlie Cofer. “[The write-ins] disenfranchised a significant portion of the community.”

Mostly, it disenfranchised Democrats.

Duval County Democratic State Sen. Audrey Gibson filed the Senate version of the bill.

“The offices of state attorney and public defender represent the people at large. And to that extent, everyone should be allowed to vote,” said Gibson.

The House version is freshman Duval County Democratic State Rep. Tracie Davis’ first bill.

“I looked at this and I was like, ‘Gosh, we should have added some more offices.’ But we’re just going to bite this apple and we’re going to take it a small bite at a time,” said Davis.

Both bills will now go to committee.

Cox Media Group