Musselman topples Torpy in race for County Court Judge Group 4

Eric Rogers, Florida Today
·4 min read

Kimberly Musselman beat out Renee Torpy on Tuesday in the race for Brevard County Court judge, Group 4.

Musselman, an assistant state attorney in the office of State Attorney Phil Archer, posted a commanding lead of nearly 10 percentage points in early and mail voting when polls closed Tuesday.

She ended the night with 52.34% of the vote (121,311 votes) with all precincts reporting, according to unofficial results from the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections.

Kimberly Musselman was campaigning Tuesday, in advance of her election victory in a County Court judge race.
Kimberly Musselman was campaigning Tuesday, in advance of her election victory in a County Court judge race.

Musselman said she is "incredibly grateful to my family, friends, supporters and the voters of Brevard County."

"My campaign committee worked very hard to share my qualifications and experience with the voters," Musselman said. "It certainly has been one of the most challenging times of my life, and I am humbled by all of the overwhelming support I received in recent months. I am looking forward to serving the Brevard County citizens from behind the bench."

Despite a hefty campaign fund fueled by Brevard business heavyweights and a much-touted endorsement by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Torpy — an injunction-for-protection attorney at Serene Harbor domestic violence center in Melbourne — came up short, receiving 47.66% of the vote (110,479 votes).

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Ivey's presence loomed large in the race. Musselman called out the sheriff in August, saying he promised his help getting her elected or appointed state attorney in the future if she bowed out of the race earlier this year, clearing the path for Torpy to run unopposed.

County Judge candidate Renee Torpy was out waving to voters at the Schechter Community Center in Satellite Beach on Election Day. Torpy lost to opponent Kim Musselman, despite having the support of Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
County Judge candidate Renee Torpy was out waving to voters at the Schechter Community Center in Satellite Beach on Election Day. Torpy lost to opponent Kim Musselman, despite having the support of Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

The sheriff later doubled down on his support for Torpy, campaigning on her behalf and helping to organize a fundraiser in September with a Who's Who of business and government leaders, lobbyists and prominent Ivey supporters. Torpy leaned into Ivey's support, featuring his endorsement prominently in campaign ads.

She also netted endorsements from Florida Rep. Tyler Sirois and Florida Sen. Tom Wright, and from Steve Crisafulli and Mike Haridopolis, both prominent former state legislators-turned-lobbyists.

"I would like to first thank my husband and my family who have stood by my side through this entire process. Without them I wouldn't have been able to get this far," Torpy said in a statement Tuesday night.

"To my supporters, thank you for your support, your encouragement and your countless hours of work throughout the last six months. It has been truly amazing to see each and every one of you standing with me."

Musselman, meanwhile, boasted the endorsements of Archer and most of Brevard's constitutional officers, including Property Appraiser Dana Blickley, Tax Collector Lisa Cullen and Clerk of Court Rachel Sadoff.

Musselman's victory comes despite a more than 2-to-1 fundraising deficit against Torpy, who leveraged her connections (and a $100,000 loan to herself) to pull in about $173,000. Musselman, by contrast, raised about $62,000, padded with $32,000 of her own funds.

Torpy spent about $98,000 in the race, outpacing Musselman, who spent nearly all of her own campaign fund.

Judge candidates are highly restricted by the Code of Judicial Ethics about what they can say and do on the campaign trail, forcing Musselman and Torpy to lean on their endorsements and experience as attorneys to sway voters.

Torpy emphasized the diversity of her experience, highlighting three years each in the Office of the Public Defender and the Office of the State Attorney, as well was two years in civil court as an injunction attorney, helping to secure restraining orders for domestic violence victims against their abusers.

Musselman pointed to her nearly 20 years as a state prosecutor, during which she reviewed thousands of cases in the felony intake division and worked as a training attorney, helping to train dozens of young prosecutors. She also highlighted her prior experience as a probation officer.

County judges rule on misdemeanor crimes, traffic violations and most civil matters. They serve six-year terms and make an annual salary of $138,020.

Eric Rogers is a watchdog reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Rogers at 321-242-3717 or esrogers@floridatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter: @EricRogersFT.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Kimberly Musselman beats out Renee Torpy in Group 4 county judge race