Early voting for the Aug. 18 primary election is underway, and in recent weeks, The Apopka Chief has published questionnaires for various local and regional races on the ballot. This week, candidates for the two contested Orange County judge races — groups 5 and 17 — shared their experiences and reasons for running and explained a county judge’s responsibilities compared to those of a circuit judge. Read the full Q&A below.

CANDIDATE COLOR KEY

Group 5: Asima Azam, attorney at Law for Azam Law and Mediation P.A.  |  Kafi Kennedy, of counsel for HAWM Law

Group 17: Cherish Adams, Orange County judge  |  Joy Goodyear, assistant public defender

What in your professional and community backgrounds makes you the best candidate?

ADAMS
I have 15 years of legal experience and have been faithfully serving this community as a judge for 2 ½ years. I have presided over both civil and criminal cases, including 17 jury trials. I previously served as a prosecutor, standing alongside homicide victims’ families and victims of sexual abuse.

AZAM
My 23 years of civil law, mediation, and Special Magistrate experience have prepared me to serve with depth of knowledge, patience and impartiality. As the only candidate with quasi-judicial experience, I have presided over hearings, evaluated evidence and issued written decisions.

GOODYEAR
I’ve been a Public Defender for the past 28 years. I’ve represented the poorest in our community, standing up for their rights every day. I’ve guided thousands of people through our court system and have the experience to know what works and what doesn’t.

KENNEDY
My 17 years of legal experience as a prosecutor, public defender, family law attorney, and law professor provide balanced courtroom perspective. Beyond the courtroom, my leadership with bar associations, legal education, and community service demonstrate a longstanding commitment to fairness, integrity, public trust, and serving Orange County with distinction.

What prompted you to run for Orange County Judge?

ADAMS
As a teenager, I decided to be a lawyer when my best friend lost a family member due to gun violence. 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 judge. As an attorney I saw first-hand how important it was when the parties could trust the judge to follow the law and treat everyone in their courtroom with dignity and respect.

AZAM
My decision to run for County Court Judge grew from my experiences as both a mediator and Special Magistrate for the Orange County Tax Collector. 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.

GOODYEAR
I’ve wanted to be a judge since I was 16, when a teacher invited a judge to speak to my high school class. Hearing how she served her community from the bench inspired me to pursue a career in law. After 28 years as an Assistant Public Defender, and now that my children are grown, I know I can devote myself fully to judicial service. In recent years, many judges have been appointed to our bench, but few have a significant Public Defender background. I believe that perspective will strengthen our bench and better serve the people of Orange County.

KENNEDY
My career has allowed me to see our justice system from many perspectives as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, reinforcing one lesson: the judge sets the tone for justice. I am running because I believe our courts should inspire confidence through fairness, respect, service and impartiality. I have seen how a judge’s preparation, temperament, and decisions affect not only the outcome of a case, but also the public’s trust in our legal system. I want to use my experience to ensure every litigant, victim, witness, and attorney is treated with dignity and receives a fair hearing under the law.

Out of all cases in which you have practiced law, which one stands out to you as the most formative to your career? Why?

ADAMS
As a judge I was asked to preside over an attempted homicide jury trial. On the morning of trial the accused unexpectedly made the decision to represent himself and fire his attorney. I explained his rights to him in detail, ensuring that he understood the risks of representing himself, that he was competent to do so, and appointed standby counsel to ensure that his rights were protected. With the assistance of his standby counsel the accused ultimately won his case. This case reminded me of the importance of having a judge who is knowledgeable, protects the rights of the parties, and is able to explain the proceedings without becoming an advocate for either party. As an experienced judge, I do this every day. I ensure that all parties who come to court understand the proceedings, their questions are answered, and everyone receives a fair and equal opportunity to be heard.

AZAM
While it is difficult to pick one case from a 23-year career, one of the most difficult cases of my career was while serving as Special Magistrate for the Orange County Tax Collector in an appeal involving a governmental tax exemption claimed by a major airline at Orlando International Airport. The case was significant because the outcome affected millions of dollars in revenue and had a direct impact on Orange County residents. The legal issues were complex, and the governing law was not entirely settled, requiring careful statutory analysis and thorough consideration of the evidence and legal arguments presented by both sides. That experience reinforced the importance of judicial impartiality, thorough preparation, and well reasoned decisions. It reminded me that a judge’s responsibility is not to reach a popular result, but to apply the law fairly and consistently, even when the stakes are high and the issues are closely contested.

GOODYEAR
It’s impossible to choose just one case because every client has taught me something. While securing a dismissal or a not guilty verdict is incredibly rewarding, the cases that have shaped me most are those where we helped change a person’s life, not just the outcome of their case.

Some of the most meaningful moments have been helping clients struggling with addiction and homelessness access treatment programs that gave them a second chance. Years later, some still write to tell me they’re sober, employed, and rebuilding their lives. One client told me I was the only person who had ever fought for him. I’ve never forgotten those words.

Those experiences remind me that the justice system is about more than resolving cases—it’s about recognizing the humanity of every person who comes before the court and giving them the opportunity to move forward when the law allows.

KENNEDY
One of the most formative cases of my career was the first case I handled in private practice. My client, an Australian tourist, was arrested while vacationing at Disney World and was unfamiliar with the American criminal justice system. Beyond serving as his attorney, I became his guide through a legal process that was both confusing and intimidating. I successfully obtained a modification of his release conditions so he could return home while the case was pending, then spent months negotiating with the State Attorney’s Office to reach a fair resolution that allowed him to move forward with his life. This experience taught me that effective advocacy requires more than legal knowledge, it requires patience, communication, empathy, and persistence. It reinforced that every case represents a person whose future is shaped by the justice system and strengthened my commitment to ensuring every individual is treated fairly, respectfully, and with dignity.

Apopka residents will vote on both county judges and circuit judges on the ballot this year. In your own words, could you explain the difference between the two? What caused you to join the county judge race instead of the race for circuit judge?

ADAMS
County court is the people’s court. County court addresses less serious cases than circuit court, handling misdemeanors and civil lawsuits under $50,000. This often includes traffic cases, suspended license cases, small claims, and evictions. I love being a County Court Judge because it is where the public most often encounters the justice system. That is a great honor and responsibility. Every day when I put on the robe I am reminded that the parties and witnesses are looking at me and the court staff and they are deciding something about the justice system. It is my goal that they leave court feeling seen, heard, and that their case mattered.

AZAM
County Court is called the “people’s court” because it handles the cases that affect everyday life, including landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, breach of contract actions, and foreclosures, with amounts in controversy of less than $50,000.00, as well as misdemeanor criminal cases. Circuit Court hears complex civil litigation, felony criminal cases, family law, probate, and other matters. I chose to run for County Court because it aligns with my 23 years of legal experience. Most of my litigation experience has been in County Court handling landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, and breach of contract cases. Because majority of County Court cases are civil, my background is well suited to the work.

GOODYEAR
County court and circuit court serve different roles. County court is often called the “people’s court” because many individuals appear without an attorney. It handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, ordinance violations, and civil cases involving less than $50,000. Circuit court handles more complex matters, including felonies, major civil cases, family law, juvenile cases, and probate.

I chose to run for county judge because my entire career has been dedicated to serving people in our community. For nearly three decades as a Public Defender, I’ve helped people navigate the court system. County court is where patience, empathy, and clear communication matter most, and I believe my experience makes me well suited to serve in that role.

KENNEDY
County judges are often the public’s first point of contact with the judicial system, handling misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and other matters that directly affect people’s daily lives. Circuit judges preside over more complex cases, including felonies, family law, juvenile, probate, and higher-value civil disputes. County Court is often called the “People’s Court” because it serves as the community’s front door to the judicial system. I chose to run for County Court because my experience and passion align with that mission. My background in criminal and family law, combined with my work mentoring future attorneys, has prepared me to administer justice with fairness, respect, efficiency, and compassion while ensuring every person who enters my courtroom is heard and treated with dignity.

Where can voters go to learn more about you?

ADAMS
Please visit my website at KeepJudgeAdams.vote or follow me on Facebook and Instagram @KeepJudgeCherishAdams. 

AZAM
– electasimaazam4judge.vote
         – Facebook: Asima Azam for Orange County Judge
         – Instagram: @electasima4judge
         – Orlando Sentinel Voter Guide: orlandosentinel.com/2026/07/31/2026-voters-guide-asima-azam-for-orange-county-judge-group-5/

GOODYEAR
My campaign website is Joy4judge2026.com. The League of Women Voters also had a forum where I was interviewed and that is available online.

KENNEDY
Visit www.KafiKennedyForJudge.com to learn about my experience and commitment to Fairness. Respect. Service. Vote Kafi Kennedy for Orange County Judge on or before August 18.