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Candidate

Carlos G. Muñiz

Independent · Incumbent

Justice, Florida Supreme Court

Carlos G. Muñiz was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Ron DeSantis on January 22, 2019 and served two terms as chief justice from July 2022 through June 2026346. He previously was general counsel of the U.S. Department of Education, deputy attorney general and chief of staff to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, and deputy general counsel to Governor Jeb Bush3. This is a nonpartisan merit retention vote: voters decide yes or no on whether he keeps his seat for another six-year term15.

  • Justice, Florida Supreme Court, since January 2019; chief justice for two two-year terms beginning July 1, 2022 and July 1, 202436
  • General counsel, U.S. Department of Education (presidentially appointed, Senate confirmed)3
  • Deputy attorney general and chief of staff to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi; deputy chief of staff and counsel, Office of the Speaker of the Florida House; general counsel, Department of Financial Services; deputy general counsel to Governor Jeb Bush3
  • Law clerk to Judge Jose A. Cabranes, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and Judge Thomas A. Flannery, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia3
  • B.A., University of Virginia; J.D., Yale Law School3
  • Appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Ron DeSantis on January 22, 201934. Retained by voters in November 2020 with 65.75 percent voting yes7. Florida law places Supreme Court justices on the ballot every six years for a yes or no retention vote5. He is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for merit retention12.

Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.

Sources (12)

Every claim on this page links to one of these
  1. All Races Sample Ballot, November 3, 2026 General ElectionHillsborough County Supervisor of Elections
  2. Justice Muñiz and 22 DCA judges to stand for merit retention (April 29, 2026)The Florida Bar News
  3. Justice Carlos G. Muñiz (official biography)Florida Supreme Court
  4. What They Are Saying: Florida Leaders React to Governor Ron DeSantis' Appointment of Carlos Muñiz to the Florida Supreme Court (Jan. 22, 2019)Executive Office of the Governor
  5. Merit Retention Election: 2026 judges standing for merit retention (biographies page)The Florida Bar
  6. Carlos G. Muñiz re-elected as chief justice of Florida Supreme Court (April 25, 2024)The Florida Bar News
  7. Justice Muñiz, 23 appellate judges win merit retention contests (Nov. 4, 2020)The Florida Bar News
  8. News releases index (checked Sept. 30, 2026; no 2026 merit retention poll release listed)The Florida Bar
  9. Judicial Qualifications Commission cases archive (formal charges filed since about 2000; checked Sept. 30, 2026)Florida Supreme Court
  10. State Supreme Court Justices Francis and Sasso, up for retention votes, may as well have lifetime tenure (Oct. 2024; reports that the Bar ended its merit retention poll, quoting a Bar spokesperson)Florida Bulldog
  11. Editorial: End of Bar poll means less accountability for judges (Oct. 31, 2024; used only for the fact that the Board of Governors ended the poll in 2023)Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel via Yahoo News
  12. Bar launches the 2026 The Vote's in Your Court website and Guide for Florida Voters ahead of November elections (July 14, 2026; no member poll mentioned)The Florida Bar News