2022 Election Preview | County judge Seat 2 : Lori Cotton vs. William 'Will' Harris
A sitting judge faces opposition from a former colleague for one of two county judge seats being contested in the Aug. 23 election.
The winner will serve a six-year term with an annual salary of $156,377.
Those competing for the position are incumbent County Judge Lori Cotton and local lawyer William "Will" Harris.
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Both Harris and Cotton at one time were prosecutors at the State Attorney's Office.
A look at their financial contributions indicated that the two have raised a total of $94,305.88 and spent $44,216.84. Between them, they've received money from a variety of people to include a state senator, lawyers, public officials and law firms.
To qualify as a candidate, an individual must be a member of the Florida Bar for five preceding years and a resident of the county circuit upon taking office. Judicial elections are nonpartisan.
William 'Will' Harris
Employed as a lawyer advising the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, Harris has previously worked for several entities.
His career began at Bross, Bross, Thomas & Mays LLC in Merritt Island in 2001. Harris' job was to represent clients in personal injury matters and negotiate settlements with insurance carriers. He also handled criminal cases, landlord/tenant disputes, eminent domain matters, foreclosures and debt collections.
From there, Harris went to the State Attorney's Office in the fall of 2006. He stayed there until 2019. While as an assistant state attorney, Harris wore several hats. One was prosecuting cases involving juveniles, whether felony or misdemeanor.
His other duties at the SAO were: train school resource officers; review law enforcement reports and decide on filing criminal charges; appear in drug court; handle Baker Act, truancy and violation of injunction hearings; and assist law enforcement officials with search and arrest warrants.
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Leaving the SAO, Harris joined Dan Newlin law office in 2019. There, Harris dealt with insurance adjusters and resolved personal injury cases.
He joined the county two years ago. He advises county officials on various legal issues such as representing them if the county is sued; taking depositions; providing mediations; reviewing legal request memorandum and providing legal opinions and advice for departments.
As to why he wanted to be a lawyer, Harris said: "Because of what I learned working out in the fields." Asked what he learned out in the fields, Harris said, "I learned to work hard and always do your best, whether it's packing watermelons in tractor trailers or bottle feeding an orphaned calf."
He said many older people would share stories about injustice or their hard work in the fields and they would get little to no money.
Why Harris wants to be a judge
Harris said he wants to become a county judge because he feels he has the temperament and experience.
"I think it would be a good fit for me," he said.
When former County Judge Sarah Ritterhoff Williams announced her retirement last year, Harris was among a dozen people who submitted an application seeking appointment to fill out her term. Of the 12, he was one of the final four. Cotton was selected by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the spot.
"I'll let the people of Marion County decide. I want to take it to the people," Harris said on why he has decided to run.
Harris points to his job experience as another reason he wants to be a judge.
"I've dealt with all matters of the law," he said.
If elected, Harris said he would follow the law, emphasize technology for court hearings and remain "willing to listen to the people."
Lori Cotton
Cotton has been on the bench for a little more than a year and she calls it one of the most challenging jobs in her career.
When she was picked by the governor in 2021, Cotton said she felt "excitement." She also felt sadness because she was leaving the SAO, where she had worked for years.
"It was tears," she said.
Her transition from being a prosecutor to wearing the black robe was swift, she said.
"It was very quick," she said, making reference to sitting on the bench in two weeks after her departure from the SAO in May 2021.
Cotton said she didn't know what to expect. Now that she has some experience in the job, she said the role of a county job is rewarding, yet challenging.
"I love what I'm doing," she said. "Every day is so different. You get to see different people, cases and scenarios."
She said when she's on the bench, she feels the weight of the Constitution on her.
"Its an awesome responsibility. I take the Constitution and the law seriously," Cotton said.
Cotton's experience
Cotton said with the docket she's managing, she gets a list of all of the cases from the clerk and reviews them prior to the hearing. That way, she said she's on top of the cases and nothing "slips through the cracks."
As for what voters should know about her, Cotton said she has more than 140 jury trials under her belt, has been a supervisor at the SAO, and has vast experience with various aspects of the law like wire taps, sex crimes and murder indictments.
"I can handle the complex cases and situations and have enough experience to make good, sound decisions," she said.
As a judge, she said she has the opportunity to teach young lawyers coming through the system similarly to when she was trying cases in county court.
She said she gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from retired County Judge John Futch and she wants to do the same for other lawyers presenting cases in front of her.
"I want to guide them the same way as Judge Futch did for me. By the time I left, I had learned a lot," Cotton said.
What voters can expect from Cotton
Asked what the voters can expect from her, Cotton said "I'm a public servant and I've always been a public servant."
Cotton had been a prosecutor for 20 years and thought at one point she would be a career assistant state attorney for decades.
"I never thought I would leave," she said.
But, when Ritterhoff Williams retired, she decided to "give it a shot."
"I knew I had the qualification," she said.
Cotton said voters can expect her to be committed and dedicated to her job because she wants to make the community a better place.
"I work for the community and will continue to do so. I'll be fair. It's just a job, but what can I do to make things better," she said.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb
COUNTY COURT JUDGE
County judge candidates run in nonpartisan elections and are elected countywide. Judges serve six-year terms and earn an annual salary of $156,377.
CANDIDATES
Lori Cotton
Family: Married with three daughters and two stepchildren
Education: University of Florida College of Law, J.D., with honors; Ohio State University, BA, history, summa cum laude
Work experience: County Court judge, 2021 to present; State Attorney's Office, 2001-2021
Community service: Former Brownie Girl Scout leader at Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary School; former education chair for the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association; homeless volunteer; former board of directors, musician, actor at Ocala Civic Theatre; Ocala Pumpkin Patch director; completed four marathons.
William 'Will' Harris
Family: Married with two daughters
Education: University of Maryland Carey School of Law; University of Florida, BS, human resources; College of Central Florida
Job experience: Office of the county attorney; Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys; State Attorney's Office; Bross, Bross, Thomas & Mays, LLC.
Memberships and organizations: Inns of Court; Florida Association of County Attorneys; National Bar Association; 100 Black Men of Greater Florida; NAACP; Boy Scouts of America, North Florida Council; Marion County Cattlemen's Association; Southeastern Brangus Breeders Association; Harris Land & Cattle Company.
ELECTION DETAILS
Primary Election Day is Aug. 23. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on that day. Check your voter information card for information on where to vote. If you have questions, visit votemarion.gov.
Early voting will be Aug. 13-20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:
Election Center: 981 NE 16th St., Ocala
Belleview Public Library: 13145 SE County Road 484, Belleview
Deputy Brian Litz Building: 9048 SW HWY 200, Ocala
Dunnellon Public Library: 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon
Forest Public Library: 905 S County Road 314A
Freedom Public Library: 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala
Reddick Community Center: 4345 NW 152nd St, Reddick
Silver Springs Shores Community Center: 590 Silver Road, Ocala
The Villages Mulberry Center: 8445 SE 156th Mulberry Lane
If you requested a mail ballot, it must be received by the elections office by 7 p.m. on Aug. 23. For information on how to obtain a mail ballot, visit https://www.votemarion.gov/Ways-to-Vote/Vote-By-Mail/Vote-By-Mail-FAQ
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County, Florida Judge Lori Cotton challenged by county lawyer
