Six Finalists Sent to DeSantis for the Tallahassee Circuit Judgeship Judge Dempsey Will Leave on December 28
The 2nd Judicial Circuit's nominating commission has sent Gov. Ron DeSantis six names for the circuit seat Angela Dempsey is retiring from at year's end - starting a 60-day clock on an appointment that will shape felony, juvenile and major civil cases in the capital circuit.
The choice of Tallahassee's next circuit judge is now in the governor's hands. The 2nd Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission interviewed applicants and finalized a list of six lawyer finalists on October 26, sending the names to Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the seat being vacated by Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey.
Dempsey announced her retirement to care for her mother, who is living with a serious, degenerative medical condition. Her resignation takes effect December 28, 2026. Under Florida's judicial appointment process, the governor has a 60-day window from receiving the commission's recommendations to name a replacement - a decision DeSantis is expected to make before his own term ends on January 5, 2027.
The seat is a working judgeship at the center of the capital's courts. The position pays $200,836 a year, and the judge who takes it will preside over felony cases, juvenile matters and civil litigation involving claims of $50,000 or more across the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which is anchored in Leon County.
This story names none of the six finalists: the reporting available to the desk this cycle identified the size of the list and the process, but not the complete list of names, and the desk does not publish a partial list. The appointment is expected to be announced within the 60-day window, in time for the new judge to be seated as Dempsey's retirement takes effect.
