Navigation Thompson’s reply brief refutes the governor’s rational for appointing Justice Francis
Gov. Ron DeSantis has ignored the Florida Constitution, contorted a past Supreme Court decision, and made arguments that “border on bizarre” in defending his appointment of 15th Circuit Judge Renatha Francis to the state’s top court, according to Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando.
Thompson filed her final brief on August 13, replying to DeSantis and the Supreme Court Judicial Nomination Commission Chair Daniel Nordby’s defense of the JNC nominating Francis and the governor’s appointing her on May 26.
Thompson filed for writs of mandamus and quo warranto on July 13, arguing Francis was not qualified for the office because she will not have been a Bar member for 10 years, as required by the Constitution, until September 24. She also said the Constitution mandated that DeSantis make the appointment within 60 days of the JNC submitting its nominations, which occurred on January 23.
