DeSantis appoints Lynn Haven prosecutor to vacant Bay County judgeship

PANAMA CITY — Tracy Smith, a former chief prosecutor for the State Attorney's Office for Gulf County, has been appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill a Bay County judgeship.

She was appointed to fill the seat of County Judge Joe Grammer , who retired effective Aug. 31 after serving 15 years on the bench.

“I am very humbled and honored by this appointment,” Smith said. “I look forward to serving the citizens of Bay County as their next judge.”

Smith works for the 14th Judicial Circuit, which covers Bay, Gulf, Jackson, Washington, Holmes and Calhoun counties. She was chosen out of a group of four who were submitted to the governor by the Florida Bar's Judicial Nominating Commission.

Smith has a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.

Larry Basford, the state attorney for the 14th circuit, said the appointment shows that good work is rewarded.

“Ms. Smith's experience as a prosecutor and as a civil litigator has prepared her to be an excellent judge,” Basford said.

Smith is the third judge appointed by the governor in the 14th circuit in three years. Circuit judges Devin Collier and Brandon Young are the two previous appointees.

Smith is from Lynn Haven and has also served as the insurance and risk manager for the Bay County School Board.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: DeSantis appoints Lynn Haven prosecutor to vacant Bay County judgeship