The judges on your ballot can make decisions involving someone’s freedom, family, home or livelihood. Yet judicial elections can be difficult to navigate, particularly when candidates are less familiar to voters than those running for governor or Congress.
Miami-Dade voters have two contested circuit court races to decide this November: Group 5 and Group 69. Voters will also answer separate questions about whether one Florida Supreme Court justice and five judges on the 3rd District Court of Appeal should remain in office. The Florida Bar
Judicial candidates are restricted from promising how they would decide issues that could come before their courts. Their profiles therefore focus on legal experience, courtroom management and their stated approach to fair hearings, rather than legislative-style campaign platforms. Florida Supreme Court
Circuit Court Group 5: Arthur LeMar “Marty” McNeil
Arthur LeMar “Marty” McNeil is an attorney whose experience includes criminal defense, civil law, family law and juvenile matters. In his candidate questionnaire submitted to Hy-Lo News, he reported 19 years of legal practice and more than 65 trials, most involving juries. His experience also includes supervising and training attorneys in the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office and serving as a certified circuit civil mediator.
McNeil emphasizes protecting constitutional rights and making sure people understand the court process. He told Hy-Lo News that fair hearings require sufficient time, opportunities for people to address the court and clear communication. His community work includes mentoring young people, educating students about the consequences of arrests and helping residents seal or expunge arrest records.
Campaign Website: https://mcneilforjudge.com/
Circuit Court Group 5: Monica Segura
Monica Segura is a Miami native and University of Miami law graduate with more than 20 years of civil practice. Her career includes work at law firms and as an attorney for an insurance carrier. She also served approximately four years as a special master or magistrate for Miami Lakes, gaining experience conducting hearings and managing a busy calendar.
Segura’s stated priorities include fairness, integrity and efficient courtroom management. In her questionnaire submitted to Hy-Lo News, she pointed to her work handling large volumes of litigation and her experience as a magistrate as preparation for the circuit court. She said she would approach the position with respect for the law and the responsibility of serving the community.
Campaign Website: https://votemonicasegura.com/
Circuit Court Group 69: Rita Maria Baez
Rita Maria Baez is a Miami native who earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Miami and her law degree at St. Thomas University. According to her campaign biography, she has practiced law for 30 years, with experience in civil litigation, bankruptcy and family law. Her background includes private practice and participation as counsel in jury trials.
Baez presents her private-sector litigation experience as preparation for the bench. Her campaign emphasizes knowledge of the law, public service and practical experience representing clients. She says she is seeking judicial office to serve the community, with a focus on applying the law and bringing experienced judgment to the courtroom.
Campaign Website: https://ritaforjudge.com/
Circuit Court Group 69: Bonita Jones-Peabody
Bonita Jones-Peabody is an attorney with more than 35 years of experience across criminal, civil, family, juvenile, probate, immigration and personal injury law. In her questionnaire submitted to Hy-Lo News, she described experience representing individuals, families, businesses and government entities. Her background also includes supervising and mentoring attorneys while handling serious felony cases.
Jones-Peabody emphasizes impartiality, constitutional rights and treating people with dignity. She told Hy-Lo News that a fair hearing begins with listening and giving each person a meaningful opportunity to be heard. Her stated approach centers on deciding cases according to the law and evidence, while recognizing the lasting effects court decisions can have on families and communities.
Campaign Website: https://electbonita.com/
Florida Supreme Court retention: Carlos G. Muñiz
Carlos G. Muñiz joined the Florida Supreme Court in January 2019 after an appointment by DeSantis. His prior government experience includes serving as deputy attorney general and chief of staff to former Attorney General Pam Bondi, general counsel for Florida’s Department of Financial Services and counsel in the governor’s office.
Muñiz is facing a retention vote, meaning voters decide whether he should remain on the court rather than choose between him and an opponent. The Supreme Court is Florida’s highest court and handles matters including death-penalty appeals and certain constitutional questions. The retention decision concerns his continued service in that judicial role.
3rd District Court of Appeal retention: Kansas R. Gooden
Kansas R. Gooden joined the 3rd District Court of Appeal in June 2024 after an appointment by DeSantis. Before joining the court, she was a shareholder and appellate practice group leader at Boyd & Jenerette. The governor’s appointment announcement identified her as board-certified in appellate practice, with experience handling more than 400 civil appeals.
Gooden’s legal background centers on appellate work, which involves reviewing lower-court decisions for legal error. Her professional experience also includes education and presentations on appellate practice and judicial writing. Voters will decide whether she should continue serving on the appellate court through a yes-or-no retention question.
3rd District Court of Appeal retention: Monica Gordo
Monica Gordo joined the 3rd District Court of Appeal in April 2019 after an appointment by DeSantis. Before her appellate appointment, she served on Miami-Dade’s circuit court and worked as an assistant state attorney. She earned both her undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Miami.
Gordo’s background includes trial-court service and prosecution before moving to appellate review. Her court biography also identifies work in judicial education, including service with the Florida Court Education Council. Her November ballot question asks voters whether she should remain in office, with no opposing candidate listed.
3rd District Court of Appeal retention: Fleur Jeannine Lobree
Fleur Jeannine Lobree joined the appellate court in 2019 after an appointment by DeSantis. Her previous experience includes serving as a Miami-Dade county judge and circuit judge, as well as working as an assistant state attorney and legal adviser. She earned her undergraduate degree at Florida State University and her law degree at the University of Miami.
Lobree’s professional background spans prosecution, trial-court proceedings and appellate review. Her prior judicial assignments included criminal and civil matters. Like the other appellate judges in this guide, she is facing a retention question asking whether she should continue serving, rather than a contested race against another candidate.
3rd District Court of Appeal retention: Thomas Logue
Thomas Logue joined the 3rd District Court of Appeal in 2012. Before becoming a judge, he served as an assistant Miami-Dade county attorney from 1982 to 2012. His legal experience includes arguing appeals before Florida’s Supreme Court, district courts of appeal and the federal appellate court serving Florida.
Logue’s background also includes teaching Florida constitutional law and educating newly appointed appellate judges about appellate jurisdiction. His retention vote gives residents an opportunity to decide whether he should continue that judicial service. The question is separate from the contested circuit court races appearing elsewhere on the ballot.
3rd District Court of Appeal retention: Bronwyn Catherine Miller
Bronwyn Catherine Miller joined the appellate court in 2018 after an appointment by then-Gov. Rick Scott. She previously served on Miami-Dade’s county and circuit courts and worked as a prosecutor. Her education includes a law degree from the University of Miami and an undergraduate degree from Barnard College at Columbia University.
Miller’s professional work also includes teaching law students and participating in judicial education and court committees. Her background brings experience at both the trial and appellate levels. Voters will answer a yes-or-no question about whether she should remain on the 3rd District Court of Appeal.
Voter Information Box
Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
Poll Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Registration Deadline: The deadline to register for this election was Oct. 5, 2026.
Where to Vote: On Election Day, voters must vote at their assigned precinct. Confirm your polling location through your county supervisor of elections. miamidade.gov
Early Voting: Miami-Dade County offers early voting Oct. 19 through Nov. 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Miami-Dade voters may use any designated early voting location in the county. Elsewhere in Florida, dates, hours and locations vary; all counties offer early voting Oct. 24–31. miamidade.gov
Vote by Mail: Requests for a ballot to be mailed must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22. Completed domestic vote-by-mail ballots must reach the county supervisor of elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count. In Miami-Dade, ballots may also be returned at designated secure ballot intake stations during early voting hours. Do not drop a mail ballot at an Election Day precinct.
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