SEPT 11 Hot Topics State Attorney Candidate Forum
Diana Smith | Published on 8/14/2024
LWVOC Hosts Sept. 14 Candidate Forum for State Attorney’s Race
League of Women Voters of Orange County “Hot Topics” Lunch Series
The League of Women Voters of Orange County is sponsoring a Sept. 11 Hot Topics forum, “Case for the Prosecution: State Attorney Forum,” to help voters decide one of the most closely watched elections in Central Florida. A former Democratic officeholder seeks a return to the state attorney’s position in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, an independent candidate appointed by the governor wants to keep the job and a Republican contender hopes to be the surprise winner in the election.
Doors open at the Winter Park Events Center at 10:30 a.m. for a buffet lunch. The program starts at 11:45 a.m. at 1050 W. Morse Blvd. in Winter Park and ends at 1 p.m. Tickets are $30 for League members, $37 non-members. (Members, be sure you are logged into the system before registering to receive discount.)
Register HERE.
The moderator is Fred Lauten, former chief judge for the Ninth Judicial Circuit. The forum includes Monique Worrell, the Democratic former state attorney; Andrew Bain, a nonpartisan candidate who currently holds the position; and Seth Hyman, a former assistant state attorney who won the Republican primary on Aug. 20 but withdrew from the race on Sept. 4.
The Ninth Judicial Circuit state attorney’s race is politically contentious. Worrell was removed as state attorney by Gov. Ron DeSantis in August 2023. DeSantis cited “neglect of duty and incompetence” as the reason for the suspension and appointed Bain, an Orange County judge, as state attorney. Worrell contended that the suspension was a “political hit job” orchestrated to benefit DeSantis’ presidential campaign.
Bain accused Worrell in an Orange County court of ethics violations, but in June an Orange County judge rejected his bid to open secret grand proceedings, citing policy differences between the two prosecutors. The case arose from a 2020 case in which an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy shot an unarmed man as he ran
away.
The Sept. 11 Hot Topics will look at the candidates’ stances on the role of the state attorney. Some questions to
be discussed:
-- How long have you practiced criminal law?
-- What do you view as the biggest challenge to the state attorney’s office? If elected, what would you do to address that challenge?
-- Who are your legal role models, and why?
Hot Topics is streamed live on the League’s Facebook page Facebook and an edited version will be available on the League’s YouTube channel, League of Women Voters Orange County - YouTube .
Visionary sponsors: Phil and Jennifer Anderson. Silver sponsors: Lyn and David Berelsman and Voting Voices — Michele Levy, Charley Williams, and Laurie and Richard Wack. Bronze sponsors: Alex and the Hon. Cynthia Mackinnon.
The League of Women Voters of Orange County, Florida, is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
League of Women Voters of Orange County, FL, P.O. Box 1901, Winter Park, FL 32790, 407-735-6540