Florida judge quits after probe reveals $30,000 in partisan donations
Judge Diana Tennis resigned from the Ninth Circuit Court after a judicial qualifications commission found she had made nearly $30,000 in contributions to left-leaning candidates and groups, violating Florida’s judicial conduct rules.
An investigation by the Judicial Qualifications Commission revealed that Judge Diana Tennis, a longtime member of the Ninth Circuit Court covering Orange and Osceola counties, contributed roughly 900 donations amounting to nearly $30,000 to left-leaning political causes, including former President Joe Biden and Senator Bill Nelson. Under the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct, such political activity is prohibited for sitting judges.
The Florida Supreme Court responded in July by suspending Tennis, levying a monetary penalty and issuing a public reprimand. Facing these sanctions, Tennis opted to resign four months before her term concluded. Her attorney praised her service, calling her departure a loss for the Central Florida community. The case underscores strict enforcement of judicial impartiality standards in the state.
Why it matters
The resignation highlights enforcement of rules that keep judges from engaging in partisan politics, preserving judicial impartiality.
In this story
