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Civil attorney joins circuit judge race
By CARY DAVIS, Times Staff Writer John Renke III, a New Port Richey civil attorney and the son of an influential Republican figure, announced Wednesday that he will run for a west Pasco circuit judgeship. Renke, 32, joins what is now a three-man race to replace Circuit Judge Joseph G. Donahey Jr., who is retiring. The other candidates for the 6th Circuit Group 25 seat are New Port Richey attorney Declan Mansfield, 50, and St. Petersburg lawyer Charles S. Carrere, 64, a former Pinellas County judge. The filing period for the position ends Friday afternoon. Renke graduated from law school at Florida State University in 1995 and joined his father in private practice. He has handled a wide range of civil cases, including personal injury, property and family law. In 1999, Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Renke to the governing board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which regulates water issues for 16 counties. That experience was a major factor in his decision to run for judge, Renke said. On the Swiftmud board, and in his practice, "I learned to listen to people, adjudge facts and law, and help resolve conflicts," Renke said. His father's encouragement also was a factor in his decision to run, he said. His father, John Renke, was a three-term Republican state representative. The elder Renke, now an elected state Republican committeeman, was the incoming House minority leader when he was upset in the 1990 election. "He's doing all he can to help me," Renke III said. The nonpartisan job pays $130,000. The election is circuitwide, which means the winner will be decided by voters in both Pinellas and Pasco. -- Cary Davis covers courts in west Pasco County. He can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6236, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6236. His e-mail address is cbdavis@sptimes.com.
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From today's Pasco Times Editorial Letters |
