Lakeland's John Stargel among six finalists to fill Florida Supreme Court opening

The Ledger
·1 min read
Judge Meredith Sasso, center, and Judge John Stargel, left, with the Sixth District Court of Appeal in Lakeland, are among six finalists for an opening on the Florida Supreme Court.
Judge Meredith Sasso, center, and Judge John Stargel, left, with the Sixth District Court of Appeal in Lakeland, are among six finalists for an opening on the Florida Supreme Court.
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The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission announced six finalists Friday for an opening on the state’s highest court.

Four of the nominees are judges with the Sixth District Court of Appeal in Lakeland. They are Joshua Mize, Meredith L. Sasso, Jared Smith and John Stargel. The other finalists are Michael McHugh, a judge with the 20th Judicial Circuit, and Thomas Palermo, a judge with the 13th Judicial Circuit.

The commission sent the nominations to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who will choose a successor to the recently retired Justice Ricky Polston.

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The commission interviewed 15 applicants Wednesday in Orlando. Victoria Avalon, an assistant state attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit, was among the applicants.

Stargel, a former state legislator from Lakeland, is the husband of former Florida Sen. Kelli Stargel. He previously served on the bench in the 10th Judicial Circuit.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland's John Stargel is a finalist for state Supreme Court opening