Bush's supporters on judicial panels

Six will help pick judges in Hillsborough County, six others for the 2nd District Court of Appeal.

By DAVID KARP

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 14, 2001

TAMPA -- The people who will help select judges in Hillsborough County include the general counsel for TECO Energy, a federal prosecutor and a lawyer who leads a non-profit group called Family First.

Gov. Jeb Bush named six people Friday to the judicial nominating commission that will screen lawyers for the bench in Hillsborough and six more to the commission that helps selects judges on the 2nd District Court of Appeal.

Bush's choices for the 12 vacancies included four women, two African-Americans and one Latino. All but one are registered Republicans, and several contributed heavily to Bush's campaign for governor and the presidential campaign of his brother.

His choices in Hillsborough: S. Cary Gaylord, 54, an eminent domain lawyer and chairman of the board of directors of Family First, a non-profit group dedicated to strengthening families.

C. Howard Hunter, 46, a partner at the Tampa law firm of Hill, Ward & Henderson.

Ken Lawson, 36, an assistant U.S. Attorney in Tampa.

Sheila McDevitt, 54, general counsel to TECO Energy.

David Stitzel, 37, a Plant City lawyer who described himself in his application as "a Republican, conservative lawyer."

Barbara Wilcox, 68, a former real estate agent and current member of the commission who is being reappointed by Bush.

For the 2nd District Court of Appeal commission, Bush named former Hillsborough Sheriff Malcolm Beard, 82; Nancy Alfonso, 39, a lawyer and a former Dade City commissioner; lawyer Jack P. Brandon, 56; former Lakeland City Commissioner Gow Fields, 38; and Armando Flores, 56, a Family First board member.

The two commissions in the Tampa Bay area will get to work right away. In Hillsborough, the commission must name finalists for three openings. The 2nd DCA commission must fill two vacancies on the appeal court, which cover 14 counties including Pinellas and Pasco.

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