LOOK at the Judge Race on Nassau Ballot: There’s More to it Than Meets the Eye

August 6, 2024

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By Jack Knocke, 8-5-24, Updated 8-7-24

Judicial elections are usually very low key and not much info is made available about the candidates. Judges hold great power over defendants and plaintiffs alike as well as interpretation of the law and don’t have so much accountability. So it might be wise to pay more attention to these elections.

Last week We the People hosted a nice candidate forum for our Circuit Court Judge Fourth Judicial Circuit, Group 34 candidates. I had not met either of them previously, but had received recommendations from friends supporting each of them.

Circuit Court Judge Candidates Nancy Cleveland and Ashley Cox shared their messages. They both opened that they have education and experience in law and they are conservative. First impressions say that there is not much difference between the candidates. When asked questions, the most popular answers were “Canon Law” prevents us from answering questions like that. They are able to share their personal opinions, but seemed to avoid answering questions that differentiate. (May a judge or judicial candidate publicly discuss his or her views on disputed legal or political issues? P 36 Q C)

It became obvious, that research is necessary to understand who the candidates are and what they stand for – so that is what we did. Here is what we found. In fact, there are distinct differences between the candidates that voters should be aware of. There is very concerning money moving in this race.

Through research party affiliation is Ashley Cox is a Democrat and Nancy Cleveland is a Republican. Judicial candidates cannot disclose party affiliation, but private parties can. Voters should know.

Nancy Cleveland (Republican) has the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police and is a member of the Federalist Society.

Ashley Cox (Democrat) has lawyers contributing to her campaign in droves including Farah and Farah as she proudly stated. Funding for Ashley Cox totals over $330,000. Looking at Ashley Cox donations shows that she has several PACs donation to her campaign.

Some PACs donating to Ashley Cox (Democrat) are Republican funded PACs run by William Stafford Jones. Jones is notorious in Florida for running 100+ PACs with money funneling all over Florida. Jones is typically listed as PAC Chair and Treasurer.

Why, you might ask, would multiple Republican PACs contribute to Ashley Cox’s Circuit Court Judge Campaign?

If you are giving to the Republican Party PACs (or your money ends up there) you should be aware where they are spending the money. If you are a Democrat, just say thanks.

Nassau Citizens Defending Freedom does not pick or endorse candidates. We simply seek to make voters aware of the facts. We encourage voters to vote their values.

You can check all of this information with simple searches on these web sites:

https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/cgi-bin/contrib.exe

https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/committees/ComLkupByName.asp

https://www.transparencyusa.org/fl/search

Also:

Ashley Cox donated to left wing Democrat Andrew Gillum campaign for Governor in 2018