20th Circuit Judge George Richards talks why he wa...: 20th Judicial Circuit candidate George Richards met with The News-Press Editorial Board on July 11, 2012. He is one of two candidates for the Group 29 judge seat in the Aug. 14 primary election. Video by David Plazas.
George Richards
Coming Aug. 5
On Sunday, Aug. 5, The News-Press will publish a special 16-page section highlighting local candidates running in the Aug. 14 primary election.
We will present the local candidates’ answers to our questionnaires along with other important elections information. Races include congressional, legislative, county, school board and judges.
Endorsement Article Schedule
The News-Press editorial board will present its candidate endorsement articles on the following days:
July 15: U.S. House
July 16: Florida House
July 17: Lee County commission
July 18: Lee County School Board
July 19: Lee County tax collector and clerk of court
Today: Lee County sheriff
Saturday: 20th Circuit judges
Sunday: Endorsement recap
More endorsements
Lee County sheriff: Tim Fisher
Lee County tax collector: Larry-Hart
Lee County clerk of court: Linda Doggett
Lee County Commission: District 2: Don Stilwell | District 3: Larry Kiker | District 5: Frank Mann
Lee County school board: District 2: Jeanne Dozier | District 3: Les Cochran
Florida House: District 76: Raymond Rodrigues | District 77: Dane Eagle | District 78: Heather Fitzenhagen | District 79: Matt Caldwell
Florida's U.S. House District 19: Chauncey Goss
About George Richards
Age: 57
Public contact information: No campaign phone number; KeepJudgeGeorgeRichards@gmail.com; www.KeepJudgeGeorgeRichards.com
Social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.): http://www.facebook.com/KeepJudgeGeorgeRichards
Family: Spouse - Irene Pintado
Occupation: Circuit Court Judge
Spouse's occupation: University Professor
Education: A.A., Miami Dade College; B.S., Barry University, Miami; J.D., University of Miami
Residence: Cape Coral
Top Priorities: To be fair and impartial, follow case law and apply it correctly, listen to facts.
About Florida Circuit Courts
"The third tier of the judiciary (in Florida) is the circuit court. A court of general jurisdiction, the circuit court handles: probate matters (wills), civil actions in which the disputed amount exceeds $15,000, and felony criminal cases which includes cases punishable by more than one year in state prison.
"Circuit court also hears cases in equity such as domestic relations (divorce, child custody, and injunctions for protection), juvenile proceedings and petitions for writs. The circuit court hears appeals from county court.
"Circuit judges are elected by popular vote within the circuit for six year terms. The circuit judges and county court judges within a circuit elect one of the circuit judges as chief judge of the circuit for a two year term. The chief judge aided by the court administrator is responsible for administration of the courts within the circuit."
Circuit court judges earn $142,178 annually.
Source: 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida and State of Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
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Primary election endorsement: 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida
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We endorse Judge George Richards for this seat.
Former Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Richards to the bench to replace Lynne E. Dailey, who died in office.
Richards is now seeking a full term in office.
As judge, he has presided over complex civil cases, most recently out of Charlotte County.
We were impressed by his answers on how he developed good listening skills as a prosecutor, which translated into being a good listener on the bench, and on how he runs his court on time and in a professional manner.
His life experience is also remarkable.
A high school dropout at 15 who grew up in an English coal mining town, Richards worked as a diesel mechanic and eventually moved to Florida. He enjoyed playing rugby, but during one match, he injured his spinal cord and became a paraplegic.
He says the hardest decision he ever had to make was deciding whether to go on living during months of agonizing recovery.
He received his G.E.D. in his 30s, went to college and then graduated with his law degree.
He became a prosecutor, ascending to chief assistant of the statewide prosecutor’s office in Fort Myers.
A black mark on his record is a Florida Ethics Commission violation.
He failed to disclose his home mortgage from 2006-2008 when he worked as a prosecutor, though his payments were current. He corrected the error in 2009 and amended the report.
This year he agreed to pay a fine for the error.
We believe voters should elect him to a full term.
Richards faces attorney David McElrath, who has 25-plus years experience in criminal and civil matters.
