Meet the Candidates: Eighth Circuit Court

The race to fill the open seat on Florida’s Eighth Judicial Circuit will feature four candidates, including local lawyers who have prosecutorial, public defender and public service commission experience.  

The circuit seat race opened up when Judge Monica Brasington did not file to run for re-election for another six-year term on the bench. 

In addition to the open seat, five other circuit court judges and three county court judges qualified in April to run for re-election. All of them are unopposed. 

Circuit court judges are non-partisan races, and the contested seat will be on the ballot in August. The Eighth District includes Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties.

Because of state rules that govern candidates for judicial office, the four people running for the seat cannot comment on issues that might come before them as a judge.

So at a recent forum put on by the League of Women Voters of Alachua County and UF’s Bob Graham Center for Public Service, the candidates introduced themselves to the public and discussed their backgrounds and their qualifications for the position.

Below are background summaries and excerpts from the two-minute candidates introductions at the forum:

Candidate: Sean Brewer
Occupation: Intake Division Chief, Office of the State Attorney
Background: Brewer started as an assistant state attorney 1998, and has served as a trial attorney. He also has served as the felony crimes division chief, the crimes against women and children division chief, and the felony gun crimes division chief. As a prosecutor, he has specialized in cases involving child abuse, sex abuse of children and adults, and domestic violence, and has tried multiple murder cases in Alachua and Levy counties. 
Law School: UF
Quote from the forum: “Based on my family, community and professional background, I have the skills, experience and temperament necessary to be circuit court judge.”
Candidate media: Website

Candidate: AuBroncee Martin
Occupation: Felony Division Chief, Office of the Public Defender
Background: Martin has been a public defender for 24 years. He is a certified family and county court mediator, and formerly has worked as an adjunct professor at UF’s Levin College of Law.
Law School: UF
Quote from the forum: “One promise that I will make you: Each morning I wake up, when I get this position, to ensure that the public trusts that the judiciary is going to always be fair and impartial.”
Candidate media: Website

Candidate: Nathan Skop
Occupation: Attorney
Background: Skop, who has an engineering and business background, went to law school at age 37, and has been a member of the Florida Bar for 15 years. He previously was appointed to the Florida Public Service Commission, and as a commissioner, he conducted evidentiary hearings, wrote opinions and adjudicated administrative law cases. 
Law School: UF
Quote from the forum: “I hope the voters will honor me with their support based upon our shared values, my experience and commitment to ensuring fair and equal justice for everyone in our community.”
Candidate media: Website

Candidate: Dan Weisman
Occupation: Attorney
Background: Weisman served in the Florida Attorney General’s Office, prosecuting violent street gangs and pursuing cases involving theft rings, drug trafficking and embezzlement. He now works in private practice and his case load includes criminal defense and civil cases such as landlord-tenant disputes. A U.S. Army veteran, Weisman also provides legal help to other veterans.
Law School: UF
Quote from the forum: “I’ve been a prosecutor. I have defended people accused of crimes. And the synthesis of that across-the-aisle experience, I think, makes me the guy for the job. I’ve represented my fellow veterans in court. I’ve represented people in civil actions, and I’ve walked a mile in everybody’s shoes.”
Candidate media: Website