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Gov Scott Wants Justice To Recuse Herself In Judicial Appointments Case

Nick Evans
Credit Nick Evans

Florida Governor Rick Scott is pushing for Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente to recuse herself from a major case deciding the limits of the governor’s appointment powers.

The Court is considering who should select the replacements for three justices whose terms end at the same time as Governor Scott—the incumbent or his successor.  Shortly after oral arguments in the case, Justice Pariente and Chief Justice Jorge Labarga were caught on a hot mic discussing the case. 

The governor says Pariente’s mind is made up, and he wants her to recuse herself from the decision. 

The case could drastically alter the make-up of Florida’s high court.  While the governor’s mansion and the legislature have shifted to the right, the court has not.  That could change if Scott were to install three conservative-minded judges on his way out the door.

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Nick Evans came to Tallahassee to pursue a masters in communications at Florida State University. He graduated in 2014, but not before picking up an internship at WFSU. While he worked on his degree Nick moved from intern, to part-timer, to full-time reporter. Before moving to Tallahassee, Nick lived in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. He listens to far too many podcasts and is a die-hard 49ers football fan. When Nick’s not at work he likes to cook, play music and read.