To many voters wading into their voluminous semi-annual ballots, their County and Circuit judicial races will be the most mysterious – and least pressing. 

That’s why they’re the most likely to be skipped: In the low-turnout August 2024 primary, 14,000 Pinellas voters failed to cast a ballot in the two local judicial races. 

Judges, however, have been elected longer than most offices in Florida – circuit judges were first elected in 1856 and county judges in 1885. In theory, electing judges “would give courts popular support and credibility, thus allowing courts to more effectively challenge legislative and executive power,” according to Madison McClellan in the Florida Law Review.

There are 45 Circuit Judges and 24 County Judges serving Pinellas and Pasco in the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Circuit Judges are paid $196,898/year, plus benefits, while County Judges are paid $186,034. By comparison, the Governor has a yearly salary of $141,400, and Florida House members receive just $29,697.

Three judicial races will appear on every Pinellas voter’s ballot – judges do not carry a party label. Two are elected for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which hears probate, family law, and felony cases, amongst others. The third is a Pinellas County Judge position that hears primarily local misdemeanors and infractions.

Catalyst spoke to every candidate, save one, by phone or email.

Since these three races have only two candidates, all will be decided in the Aug. 18 primary.

Circuit Judge, Group 39

Elizabeth “Liz” Constantine faces Stefan Diskey for this seat. While Constantine lives and works in Pinellas and Diskey in Pasco, both emphasize their connections in the wider community.

Constantine and Diskey both work as prosecutors within the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Constantine’s 13 years’ experience includes more than 80 jury trials, including 10 for murder, and she now serves in the Pinellas State Attorney’s office Gang Unit. Diskey serves as the Lead Trial Attorney for the State Attorney in Pasco County, and has handled 75 jury trials, including capital cases.

Elilzabeth Constantine

Constantine highlighted her personal background as the driver of her career, both past and present.

“I was raised by parents who were deeply addicted to drugs,” Constantine explained. “At the age of 14, my father was killed, resulting in me entering the foster care system. During my time in foster care, I was victimized myself by my guardian. To escape my circumstances, I focused my efforts on school.”

“I knew at a young age I wanted to live a life of public service to give a voice to those like me who were impacted by the system. This desire led me to become a prosecutor in the Sixth Judicial Circuit.”

Stefen Diskey

Diskey emphasizes his work on crimes related to child and elder abuse as well as his extensive case management work.  “I have been in a courtroom daily for over a decade,” Diskey said. “Right now, I supervise a felony division with over a thousand active cases, which has given me real experience managing a heavy docket, prioritizing what needs attention, and keeping a courtroom running efficiently.

“Beyond the courtroom, I’ve lived in this community my whole life, I’m raising my family here, the same community I’ve spent my career serving.”

Constantine’s endorsements include from the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association, Clearwater Fraternal Order of Police, and Pinellas County officials including Commissioners Vince Nowicki and Chris Latvala and his late father, Jack; and Court Clerk Ken Burke. She’s also endorsed by Senator Danny Burgess (R–Zephyrhills) and the chairs of both the Pinellas and Pasco Republican parties, Tax Collector Adam Ross and businessman Troy Stevenson. 

Diskey’s endorsements include business owners, lawyers and community figures, including Pasco School Superintendent Dr. John Legg, Property Appraiser Mike Wells and Tax Collector Mike Fasano. 

Both Constantine and Diskey rejected the notion that the race is Pinellas-vs-Pasco, though. Constantine cited her husband’s employment at Pasco’s Bayonet Point Hospital and her work with the Greater Tampa Bay Boys and Girls Club. Diskey noted his lifelong connections to Pinellas.

“I lived [there], went to college there, and I’m still very connected to it through my kids’ sports endeavors, their schooling,” said Diskey. “While my legal career has been built in Pasco, my connection to Pinellas is reflected in the support I have across Pinellas, from residents and attorneys alike who know my work firsthand,” said Diskey.

When asked what would make her uniquely suited to serve as judge, Constantine said, “I am a fair person. I will treat every person that walks into my courtroom with respect and dignity. Every person who appears before me will have an opportunity to be heard, and when I do rule, that decision will be based only on the law and the facts.”

Diskey, meanwhile, cited the humility he learned from his father. “He served as a judge in this circuit for nearly 30 years, and that experience taught me values like humility, patience with both sides of a case, and the discipline to prepare and follow the law,” he remembered.

“I try to run a courtroom and treat the people and attorneys in it with patience and courtesy, and without being arrogant about it. You don’t really see that from a bio or a case count. You see it by being in a room with me. But I think it matters a lot.”

Learn more about Liz Constantine: https://www.votelizforjudge.com/

Learn more about Stefen Diskey: https://diskeyforjudge.com/

Circuit Judge, Group 44

It’s extremely rare for a sitting incumbent judge to be challenged for re-election, but that is exactly what faces Circuit Judge Elizabeth “Liz” Jack as she is challenged by attorney Oxalis Garcia. 

Liz Jack

Jack, a former Assistant State Attorney in Pinellas and Hillsborough, took office in 2021 following 12 years as an Assistant State Attorney in both Pinellas and Hillsborough. She also spent time as an advocate for young families in the judicial system during a stint at USF. Since her election she has served as a Circuit Judge in the family law division.  

However, a handful of trial attorneys and members of the public have publicly accused Jack of partiality, both in local and social media. Garcia has appeared in cases before Jack on at least a half-dozen occasions since 2021, according to the Clerk of Court, prior to mounting her challenge.

Oxalis Garcia

Garcia is the managing attorney at her namesake Clearwater-based firm, Oxalis & Berry, as well as maintaining licensure in Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Focused on family law, Garcia also had a turn as an attorney-advisor for TLC’s 90 Day Fiance. She has extensive board and volunteer experience, including on the Board of HCA Northside Hospital. 

Jack’s re-election endorsers are a who’s who of Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco political and judicial figures. Jack herself noted to Catalyst that she has “earned the endorsements of approximately: 80 family law attorneys; 95 additional attorneys; 25 elected or former elected officials (many of whom are or were practicing attorneys); six law enforcement and/or first responder unions and organizations; and 55 citizens.” 

These endorsers include both Sixth Circuit State Attorney Bruce Bartlett and Public Defender Sara Mollo. She offered this as a contrast with Garcia, whose website listed only six public endorsements at press time.

Garcia believes “that a judge’s most important qualities are fairness, preparation, and temperament,” according to her campaign website. “Every person who comes before the court deserves a judge who will listen carefully, consider the evidence thoroughly, apply the law faithfully, and treat every party with dignity and respect.”

“Fairness does not mean every person agrees with the outcome; rather, it means every person is heard and the law is followed,” Jack counters. “Most attorneys recognize this, and want fair, unbiased judges who are prepared, respectful, independent, and make well-reasoned decisions.

“In family law, fairness requires both compassion and accountability.  I welcome scrutiny of my qualifications, temperament and record.”

She advised citizens to speak to attorneys and ask them who they support in the race. 

“As a candidate, I offer proven judgment over five and a half years in thousands upon thousands of cases,” she emphasized. “In my next term, I will strive every day to improve as a judge, just as I have for the last approximately 2031 days since the day I took the bench.”

Oxalis Garcia had not responded to calls and emails requesting comment at press time.

Learn more about Judge Liz Jack: https://www.keepjudgelizjack.com/ 

Learn more about Oxalis Garcia: https://oxalisforjudge.com/ 

County Judge, Group 10

First time judicial candidate Zacariah Wade faces second-time candidate Nick Fiorentino in this race. 

Nick Fiorentino

Fiorentino, who runs a family law practice and serves as a critical incident attorney for the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association, ran for Circuit Judge in 2024 in a rare multi-candidate race. Fiorentino cleared the August primary but lost by barely a thousand votes out of more than 650,000 cast to now-Judge Jen Dubbeld. Fiorentino is running again for the County Judge seat.

“I have broad experience in family, civil, probate, criminal, and traffic,” he said.. I have had many trials and have participated in hundreds of hearings. Further, I also have specialized training and experience as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator in Marital and Family Law, a Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator, and a Qualified Parent Coordinator.”

Zachariah Wade

Wade is a criminal defense attorney and ex-prosecutor who emphasizes his trial experience. On his website, he highlights his belief that “trial lawyers make the best judges.”

“I’ve represented people on both sides of the courtroom, and seen firsthand how judicial decisions impact victims, defendants, families, businesses, and our community which has provided me with a unique and well-rounded perspective of the justice system,” Wade explained.

“In addition to my extensive courtroom experience, I also have life experience that has sharpened my perspective, granted me wisdom, and given me understanding and insight towards people from all different walks of life. This is an invaluable trait for any leader, but especially for a judge” 

Following his first run, Fiorentino is endorsed by Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Public Defender Mollo, several retired Sixth Circuit judges, and a bipartisan slate of County Commissioners, in addition to most local fire and police unions. 

Wade highlights endorsements from dozens of lawyers and community business leaders, along with outgoing Senator Darryl Rouson (D–St. Petersburg). 

Thinking of the qualities that would make him best suited to serve as a judge, Fiorentino says, “You need to serve with humility, recognizing you do not know everything and be open to learning from the parties, the attorneys, and the law to get to a just decision.”

Wade emphasizes his ability to listen and empathize with parties to a case experience.

“I’ve learned that before people can accept a decision, they need to know they were heard,” he explains. “My experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, civil litigator, law school professor and mentor have taught me that every case is about more than what is said in court.

“It is the standard I will bring to the bench every day: a courtroom where every person is heard, every case is carefully considered, and every decision is guided by the law.”

Learn more about Nick Fiorentino: https://www.nickfiorentino.com/

Learn more about Zacariah Wade: https://wadeforjudge.com/