Thread by @Taniel, Florida primaries are next week (voting is well underway) & for anyone [...]

Florida primaries are next week (voting is well underway) & for anyone who cares about criminal justice, there are major battles on the battle that could upend policies around incarceration & policing.

I& #39;m counting 7 prosecutor & sheriff races you should watch.

A brief thread.

1. Orlando elected the first black prosecutor in Florida& #39;s history in 2016. Then, state officials retialiated & drove her to history.

Progressive change against punitive norms is now at stake in the battle to replace her. @sdschuyler reports: https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/orlando-prosecutor-race-shadow-of-retaliation/">https://theappeal.org/political...

Orlando Prosecutor Race Plays Out In The Shadow Of Florida’s Retaliation Against Reform

State Attorney Aramis Ayala has faced reprisal for bold criminal justice reforms. The Aug. 18 election will determine whether her successor builds on her legacy or backtracks.

https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/orlando-prosecutor-race-shadow-of-retaliation/

2. Broward Co. has had the same prosecutor for 44 years!

He& #39;s retiring—& some candidates say they& #39;d curb his carceral policies. One candidate has staked a bold progressive platform, incl. not charging a range of low-level offenses, @jerryiannelli reports: https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/broward-county-elect-prosecutor-44-years/">https://theappeal.org/political...

Broward County Will Elect its First New Prosecutor in 44 Years. Will the Office Veer Left?

In South Florida, the crowded Aug. 18 Democratic primary features one candidate who says he would not prosecute sex work and marijuana possession cases.

https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/broward-county-elect-prosecutor-44-years/

3. Miami& #39;s 27-year state attorney has long drawn criticism for not holding law enforcement accountable: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/critics-eye-miami-dade-state-attorney-katherine-fernandez-rundle-11678508

She">https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/crit... faces a reform-minded challenger, who used to work in her office and later at the @ACLUFL: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/miami-prosecutor-candidate-melba-pearson-wants-bail-reform-police-misconduct-accountability-11432351">https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/miam...

4. Let& #39;s move on to sheriffs! In Pinellas County, Democrats will select their challenger against controversial GOP incumbent Bob Gualtieri, known for instance for wanting to arm teachers ( https://theappeal.org/americas-new-sheriff-of-the-year-pushed-to-allow-teachers-to-carry-weapons-in-school/).

And">https://theappeal.org/americas-... here& #39;s more on Democrats& #39; primary: https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2020/07/11/why-are-out-of-state-donors-fueling-the-democratic-race-for-pinellas-sheriff/">https://www.tampabay.com/news/pine...

America’s New ‘Sheriff of the Year’ Pushed to Allow Teachers to Carry Weapons in School

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri of Pinellas County, Florida, is one of the state’s most controversial lawmen.

https://theappeal.org/americas-new-sheriff-of-the-year-pushed-to-allow-teachers-to-carry-weapons-in-school/

5. In Clay County, a (GOP) sheriff "warned" BLM protesters in June that he may "make special deputies" out of gun owners to "handle" protesters: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/345399-deputize-gun-owners-clay

Now,">https://floridapolitics.com/archives/... an abuse of power scandal means he may lose next week& #39;s Republican primary: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/356159-money-dries-up-for-embattled-clay-county-sheriff-reelection-bid">https://floridapolitics.com/archives/...

6. Alachua County& #39;s Dem Sheriff, Darnell, endorsed Rick Scott in 2018 & has been head of sheriffs association, which has fought reforms. A Dem lawmaker is now challenging her in the primary (against the backdrop of COVID-19 outbreaks in the county jail): https://www.alligator.org/covid-19/alachua-county/what-police-accountability-means-to-the-candidates-of-alachua-county-sheriff-race/article_d6235354-c48f-11ea-992f-77eaf9f6c55c.html">https://www.alligator.org/covid-19/...

7. Back to Orlando (Orange County), where Sheriff John Mina faces a crowded field of challengers, two of which have staked reform positions: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/2020-election/os-ne-2020-primary-election-orange-sheriff-20200721-zqrhtxyovvemldzbcau3i55jte-story.html

And">https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/... @jerryiannelli just profiled Mina today: https://theappeal.org/orlando-sheriff-who-is-running-for-re-election-shot-a-teen-to-death-in-1999/">https://theappeal.org/orlando-s...

Orange County sheriff primary: John Mina faces field of fellow cops, reformers

Four Democratic candidates are vying against current Orange Sheriff John Mina to lead Central Florida’s largest law enforcement agency, a primary election that is likely to decide the county's next...

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/2020-election/os-ne-2020-primary-election-orange-sheriff-20200721-zqrhtxyovvemldzbcau3i55jte-story.html

That& #39;s what I have my eyes on, but let me know if you& #39;re watching something else! ↓

And in the meantime, you can explore all the other DA/sheriff races that are upending the criminal legal system via The Appeal: Political Report& #39;s portal (more soon!) https://theappeal.org/political-report/criminal-justice-on-the-2020-ballot/">https://theappeal.org/political...

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