There are two nonpartisan primary election races for circuit judges to be decided on Aug. 18 in the 10th Judicial Circuit, which covers Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.
In all, there are four candidates vying for two spots on the circuit court, in Group 23 and 24.
Circuit Judges in the 10th Judicial Circuit rotate through criminal, civil, family, juvenile delinquency, dependency and probate/guardianship divisions. In addition to the four candidates, six incumbent circuit judge positions went unchallenged for another six-year term.
The candidates below were all asked the same questions ranging from their experience and the role of the court to their temperament and how they are different from their opponent.
10th Judicial Circuit Court, Group 23 candidates:
Chris Spath
Chris Spath, 43, of Bartow was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2009.
He currently practices personal injury. In the past, he has practiced in the areas of probate, complex civil litigation and as a prosecutor at the 10th Judicial Circuit.
“Growing up in this community has given me a deep appreciation for the people, morals and values that define us here in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties,” Spath said. “My family has owned and operated a local small business for 40 years in Bartow, which taught me from an early age the value of hard work, honesty and personal responsibility.
“When I started my career as a prosecutor 17 years ago, I swore an oath to serve the people of Florida with integrity, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law,” he said. “Since that time, I have transitioned into the private sector, working as a civil litigator for the last 10 years. I have made courtroom appearances almost daily and have handled more than 200 evidentiary hearings, participated in 124 jury trials and conducted 50 bench trials.
“These experiences have prepared me for the judicial temperament necessary to serve as a circuit court judge because it has taught me the importance of careful legal analysis, sound judgment and treating every person who enters the courtroom with fairness and respect,” Spath said. “I understand that judicial decisions affect individuals, families, businesses and the community, and I approach that responsibility with humility and a strong sense of duty.
“Our Polk County courts are among the best-managed court systems I have had the privilege of practicing in throughout the state,” he said. “I am committed to bringing my broad legal experience and extensive courtroom background to help ensure they continue to operate with the same high level of efficiency, professionalism and integrity,” he said.
“Maintaining an effective and well-functioning court system requires more than legal knowledge — it requires firsthand courtroom experience, the ability to try cases, and a comprehensive understanding of docket management and courtroom operations,” Spath said. “My experience has provided me with those skills, and I am prepared to put them to work in service of our courts and our community.
“This position isn’t about learning on the job. It’s about bringing proven experience to the bench. I’ll be prepared to serve from day one because I’ve spent 17 years practicing law and handling the very kind of cases that will come before me,” he said. “This is where my depth and breadth in the law separates me from the rest.
“Of course, my greatest duty and my greatest joy is that of a husband and a father. Being a husband has taught me the importance of partnership, respect and humility. Being a father has strengthened my patience, compassion and sense of responsibility. Together, my legal background, connection to this community and personal relationships have shaped the lawyer I am today, and will continue to shape the judge I aspire to be – one who listens carefully, treats every person with dignity and administers justice fairly and impartially.”
Spath has raised $84,770 and has a loan of $100,000 listed in his campaign finance records, starting in February with the latest filed on July 31. His contributors are largely family members, other attorneys and local businesses from around Polk County and from Tallahassee to Tampa. His campaign list $64,177 in expenses.
Lakeisha Latoya Babers
Lakeisha Babers, 45, of Winter Haven has been practicing law for 20 years in the 10th Judicial Circuit. She has a bachelor’s degree in computer science, a law degree and a master’s degree in business administration. She is currently studying for a doctorate in philosophy.
Her practice in Polk County includes the Public Defender’s Office, Regional Conflict Council, Heart of Florida Legal Aid and the Guardian ad Litem Office. Since 2009, she has also maintained a private practice at Simply Blessed Law Firm PLLC. She also worked as a teacher for Polk County Public Schools.
“I have practiced almost every single type of case that I could preside over as a Circuit Court Judge with the bulk of my experience coming from cases that would fall under the family law umbrella (divorce, child custody/paternity, child support, domestic violence injunctions and dependency),” Babers said.
“The role of a judge is to oversee and listen to litigants that appear before them and then to apply the laws fairly and equally in each case as well as to educate the public about the judicial system,” she said. “I will ensure that every person that appears before me is treated fairly first.
“Neither side has an advantage in the law, and they both must carry their individual burdens of proof to obtain the outcomes they seek. In cases where I am the finder of fact, it will be my role to determine whether a party carried their respective burden.
The best judicial temperament for a judge is to be patient, humble, open-minded, willing to learn and fair. As a judge, I’m not better than anyone else, so it’s important to be humble.
“Although I cannot advocate for anyone or help them with their case, patience, open-mindedness and a willingness to learn matters because I don’t know everything, things may not line up to a pre-conceived notion, so I should be open-minded to how things are presented to me and not rush people through.
“I can’t say that any of the courts in the 10th Judicial Circuit has adequate resources, but I can say that Polk County, as the largest of the three counties in our circuit, definitely has the most resources. The system does its best with what’s available.
“If there was a deficiency in my courtroom, I’d take the time to research what alternatives may be available for the resources that are needed and evaluate if there was a way to combine, supplement or replace the resources with something similar or that would achieve the same purpose.
Lastly, Babers said a person’s vote matters “because it helps them create the type of world they want to live in.” Plus, “whoever they elect can potentially be on the bench for decades so their choices now or failure to choose by not voting, can have ramifications for years to come.”
From February to March, Babers raised $10,454 mostly in $50 to $100 donations from individuals, other attorneys and small-business owners, primarily from the Haines City area.
10th Judicial Circuit, Group 24 candidates:
Andrea DeMichael
Andrea DeMichael, 42, of Lakeland is the managing attorney and owner of DeMichael Law in Lakeland, the city where she was born, raised and currently lives and only left while attending college and supporting her husband’s military service. He is also a native.
She attended Rochelle School of the Arts and graduated from Harrison School for the Arts before becoming the first person in her family to attend college, she said. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law.
For more than 16 years, she has built a trial practice representing individuals, families, businesses and government entities, DeMichael said.
“I began my career as a prosecutor and have also practiced criminal defense, employment law, civil rights, insurance litigation, workers’ compensation, homeowners’ insurance, personal injury, contracts, veterans’ benefits, family law, juvenile delinquency and federal contract matters,” she said.
DeMichael also served as a domestic violence victim advocate, she said. Her practice in the 10th Circuit, as well as Hillsborough, Leon, DeSoto and Pinellas counties, has given her a broader perspective and reinforced her appreciation for people and communities.
“Throughout my career, I have exercised prosecutorial discretion, defended individuals whose liberty was at stake, represented families and businesses facing significant legal disputes,” DeMichael said. “Those experiences have strengthened my judgment, preparation, adaptability and ability to remain calm under pressure.”
She said her background has prepared her for matters across many areas of the law, allowing her to develop the versatility, judgment and perspective necessary to serve. Further as a small-business owner, military spouse, and mother, she said she understands the importance of responsibility, preparation and service.
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police; Sheriffs Grady Judd (Polk County), Paul Blackman (Highlands County), and Vent Crawford (Hardee County); and other in the 10th Judicial Circuit,” DeMichael said.
Circuit courts should provide “a fair, accessible and community-centered forum for resolving legal disputes and administering justice,” she said. The law should be applied fairly, consistently and without favoritism for every person.
“A judge’s responsibility does not change based on who is before the court, whether a criminal defendant, civil litigant, victim, witness, attorney or member of the public.” she said. “Not every party will agree with the outcome of a case, but they should leave knowing their judge was prepared, listened carefully and reached a decision based on the law.”
“Polk County continues to experience tremendous growth, and our court system is growing along with it.” DeMichael said. Additional judges, a new courthouse and other planned expansions, are funded primarily through the state and local governments.
“As a judge, my responsibility would be to use the resources available efficiently while protecting every person’s rights,” she said. A judge is bound by statutes and procedural rules that establish important deadlines and safeguards, including speedy trial requirements in criminal cases and response times.
“Regardless, due process cannot be compromised. Every case deserves careful preparation, thoughtful consideration and faithful application of the law,” DeMichael said.
“People often know me as an attorney, but not everyone knows how much I love ‘Old Florida’ − the smell of orange blossoms, open pastures, lakes, and being in, on, or around the water,” she said. One day, she hopes to grow food on a small farm.
From Feb. 3 to July 31, DeMichael has raised $23,730 in donations primarily from Lakeland individuals and loaned the campaign $15,000. Total campaign expenses are $18,021.
Candice Dixon
Candice Dixon, 44, of Auburndale is the founding attorney at Candice Dixon Law, P.A., where she practices family law, criminal defense and trusts and estates.
Her career as an attorney began more than 13 years ago, she said. Dixon earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and graduated cum laude from Florida Coastal School of Law. She was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2013.
Her legal career started at the Public Defender’s Office in the 10th Judicial Circuit, where she served for about five years as a misdemeanor and felony trial attorney before a promotion to both felony division chief and misdemeanor division chief.
“I have tried more than 75 jury and non-jury trials, represented thousands of clients, and supervised and mentored other attorneys,” Dixon said. “This experience taught me how to analyze complex legal issues, make difficult decisions under pressure and ensure every person receives a fair hearing regardless of their circumstances.”
Before private practice, she also represented individuals seeking Social Security disability benefits. Her private practice focuses on family law and criminal defense, including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, equitable distribution and serious criminal matters.
“This broad practice has given me firsthand experience with many of the case types that come before the Circuit Court,” Dixon said.
She also served as a civil traffic hearing officer for the 10th Circuit, presiding over hundreds of hearings, ruling on evidentiary issues, evaluating witness credibility and authoring written orders.
“This experience reinforced the importance of impartiality, professionalism and applying the law consistently to the facts presented,” she said.
“Before becoming an attorney, I worked at Winter Haven Hospital’s Center for Behavioral Health, helping individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders obtain housing, employment and essential services,” Dixon said. “That experience gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges many litigants face.”
She is a founding member and past president of the Polk Association for Women Lawyers and is currently secretary of the Polk County Trial Lawyers Association.
“A judge’s responsibility is not to advocate for one side or reach a popular result, but to protect due process and decide each case based solely on the law and the evidence.” Dixon said. She added, “Fairness begins with listening, whether someone is a defendant, victim, parent, business owner or self-represented litigant.
“Beyond my courtroom experience, my leadership within the legal community has allowed me to promote professionalism throughout our circuit,” Dixon said. “I believe judges should also understand the communities they serve.”
“My campaign focuses on experience, fairness, integrity and access to justice,” she said. Judges must be consistent, courteous but firm, ensuring every person has an opportunity to be heard while maintaining an orderly courtroom. Judicial temperament also requires humility.
Like many courts across Florida, Polk County continues to face growing caseloads while resources, including judicial time, staff, courtroom space and support services, have struggled to keep pace, Dixon said.
“Judges cannot create funding, but they can maximize the resources available,” she said. “Effective case management, prompt rulings, meaningful scheduling conferences and encouraging appropriate early resolution all help reduce unnecessary delays. Technology, magistrates when appropriate, and existing court programs can also improve efficiency.
“If resource challenges arise, I would work collaboratively with court administration, the Clerk of Court and my fellow judges to identify practical solutions,” Dixon said.
Since filing her first March 3 report, Dixon has raised $6,650 from individual contributors and businesses around Polk County. She also loaned the campaign $20,000 and the campaign has expended $26,554, records show.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Voters will elect two 10th Circuit judges from four candidates
Reporting by Paul Nutcher, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Nutcher, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
