Applications open for First Circuit Court Judicial vacancy after Judge Dannheisser's resignation

Special to the Northwest Florida Daily News / USA TODAY NETWORK
·2 min read

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a vacancy on the First Judicial Circuit Court bench due to the resignation of Judge Thomas V. Dannheisser.

The Judicial Nominating Commission of the First Judicial Circuit is now accepting applications for this vacancy.

Applicants must fulfill the constitutional qualifications before assuming the office of circuit court judge, which specify that the person must live in the district's boundaries and that they have been a member of the Florida Bar for the past five years.

Circuit Court Judge Thomas Dannheisser questions an attorney during a hearing in 2021. Dannheisser has decided to trade in his black robe for a job as Santa Rosa County's new attorney.
Circuit Court Judge Thomas Dannheisser questions an attorney during a hearing in 2021. Dannheisser has decided to trade in his black robe for a job as Santa Rosa County's new attorney.

More on the former judge: Dannheisser starts this week as Santa Rosa County attorney. Here are his top 3 priorities:

Local government: Will Fort Walton Beach charter amendment questions ever make a ballot?

Redistricting: Rep. Matt Gaetz likely to lose many Walton County constituents to redistricting. See the map

Applications may be downloaded from the Office of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

All applicants must submit the following: a PDF version of the complete unredacted application with attachments, including the executed Florida Department of Law Enforcement form and a color photograph in JPG or GIF format; and a PDF version of a redacted copy of the application excluding all exempt information pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. The PDF files should be titled in the name of the applicant (Doe.John.pdf) and labeled “Redacted” or “Original” as applicable.

Applications must be delivered by email to Kristin D. Hual at kdhual@myescambia.com no later than 3 p.m. (CDT) Feb. 8. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

All questions in the application must be fully and completely answered. The submitted application must include the required financial disclosures, a writing sample, and a recent photograph. Applications must also include current contact information, including email addresses for all judges, co-counsel, opposing counsel, and references to facilitate the background investigation that commission members will conduct.

All proceedings of the Judicial Nominating Commission are open to the public except for deliberations. Accordingly, applicants should not expect their applications to remain confidential. If an applicant is nominated, all materials attached to the original application will be submitted to the governor’s office.

Members of the bench, bar and the public are encouraged to contact the members of the Commission concerning applicants for judicial positions. Letters of recommendation should be emailed or mailed to all commissioners.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Gov. Ron DeSantis announces First Circuit Court Judicial vacancy