TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Eleven applicants, including several judges, a prosecutor, and a state legislator remain in the running to become a Florida Supreme Court justice.
A state nominating panel voted Monday to interview everyone who applied for a spot on the court. Justice James Perry is stepping down on Dec. 30 because he's reached the mandatory retirement age. Gov. Rick Scott will appoint his replacement.
Jason Unger, an attorney who heads up the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission, suggested interviewing all the candidates because the final number of applicants was "manageable." The panel plans to conduct interviews Nov. 28.
The list of applicants includes State Rep. Larry Metz, Charles Lawson, the chief judge of the 5th District Court of Appeal, and State Attorney Brad King, the lead prosecutor for five central Florida counties.
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