Florida Judge Defends Herself Amidst Campaign Controversy

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On September 20, Judge Nancy Jacobs formally responded to allegations brought against her by the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC). The inquiry arises from her 2022 campaign against former incumbent Judge Jared Smith, who faced significant criticism for denying a 17-year-old access to an abortion based on her 2.0 GPA.

According to court documents, during the campaign, Judge Jacobs is said to have received strong support from advocates for reproductive rights, contrasting sharply with Judge Smith's controversial ruling. The JQC's formal charges focus on statements Judge Jacobs made online and during campaign events, which they allege violate several rules in the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct.

In her response, Judge Jacobs emphasized that the scrutiny of her campaign was influenced by Judge Smith's widely criticized decision, which attracted national media attention. The JQC points to statements from Jacobs, including her urging voters to “send Smith back to private practice” and her remark that “your G-d and your bible should not be your moral compass.” They also raised concerns about her promotion of endorsements from organizations like Planned Parenthood, suggesting these imply a bias toward certain abortion-related rulings.

While Judge Jacobs takes responsibility for content posted by her campaign, she denies any wrongdoing regarding posts made by others. She argues that her statements were necessary given the context of her opponent's campaign rhetoric.

Judge Jacobs also highlighted her history of fair rulings and lack of prior disciplinary issues as evidence of her commitment to judicial integrity.

The case is currently ongoing, and the full response and additional court documents related to the case can be found here.