Photo by Dana O'Connor
Key Points
- Temika Hampton-Johnson and Charles Hart face a runoff for Circuit Judge Group 1 after earning a combined 73% of the vote circuit-wide.
- Christina Arguelles won Circuit Judge Group 2 by 31.7%, the largest margin in the judicial races, with a focus on fairness and integrity.
- Asima Azam narrowly won County Judge Group 5 by 6,709 votes, drawing on 23 years of legal experience as a mediator and special magistrate.
Orange County saw two victories each in the circuit judge and county judge groups on Tuesday night, with one circuit judge race heading to a runoff.
Circuit Judge: Group 1
Temika Hampton-Johnson and Charles Hart are heading to a runoff, with incumbent Mikaela Nix third circuit-wide.
With all 263 precincts reporting, Hampton-Johnson had 76,618 votes. During her campaign, including in a Q&A with The Apopka Chief, she promoted her experience as a military police officer, attorney, and former assistant public defender.
“I chose to run for circuit judge because the breadth of my legal experience aligns with the broad jurisdiction of the circuit court,” she said. “I have practiced criminal law as an assistant public defender, family law, labor and employment law, and dispute resolution as a certified mediator. My career has required me to navigate complex legal issues affecting individuals, families, and organizations, and I believe that diverse experience has prepared me well for service on the circuit bench.”
Hart finished second with 58,249 votes, or 28.44%, circuit-wide.
“After 18 years of practicing law, I have seen firsthand the profound impact judges have on people, families, and our community,” said Hart in the Q&A. “I want to bring my courtroom experience, perspective, and commitment to public service to the bench and ensure everyone who enters my courtroom receives a meaningful opportunity to be heard and is treated fairly and impartially.”
Circuit Judge: Group 2
Attorney Christina Arguelles won by the largest margin across all judge races, defeating Christie Lou Mitchell by 65.24% to 34.76%, or 61,495 votes.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me in this judicial election,” Arguelles said in a text message to the Chief. “I am truly honored and humbled by the trust you have placed in me. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and hope to live up to the high standards of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. I will work every day to uphold the law, serve with integrity, and honor the responsibility entrusted to me.”
According to her Q&A responses, Arguelles has trial experience spanning over a decade and volunteers in the community. She wants “to ensure every person who enters the courtroom is treated with fairness, dignity, compassion, and respect, and that every case is decided by faithfully applying the law.”
Circuit Judge: Group 31
Kamilah Perry won the race for group 31 with 119,682 votes in Orange County, as compared to opponent Steve Kerestes’ 83,097 votes. Perry brings her experience as a business owner, as chief executive of the Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office, and more to the role.
“My 23+ years of litigation experience in virtually every area of the law uniquely qualifies me to be a judge with vast experience,” Perry said in the Q&A. “I want to be part of rebuilding public confidence because our courts must be a place where every person, regardless of politics, background, income, or circumstance, knows they will be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. Public trust is the foundation of justice, and when that trust erodes, the entire system suffers.”
County Judge: Group 5
Asima Azam won by the narrowest margin across all judge races, earning her victory against Kafi Kennedy by 6,709 votes.
“My decision to run for County Court Judge grew from my experiences as both a mediator and Special Magistrate for the Orange County [Value Adjustment Board],” Azam said in a county judge Q&A with the Chief. “As a mediator, I learned to listen with patience, treating every person with respect, and helping resolve disputes fairly. As a Special Magistrate, I presided over hearings, evaluated evidence, applied the law impartially, and issued written opinions. Those experiences confirmed that serving in a judicial role is where I can best use my 23 years of legal experience to ensure every person is heard and every case is decided fairly.”
County Judge: Group 17
Incumbent Cherish Adams won against Joy Goodyear with 53.64% of the votes.
“As a teenager, I decided to be a lawyer when my best friend lost a family member due to gun violence,” Adams said in the county judge Q&A. “I witnessed her family process the loss of a father, husband, and brother and they walked through the criminal justice system. I have since dedicated my life to public service, serving as a clerk at the 5th District Court of Appeal, a prosecutor, and now as a judge.”
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the results after all mail-in ballots were counted. It was also updated to reflect Azam’s experience as a magistrate for the Orange County Value Adjustment Board. This piece has been updated to reflect the correct counts.