Herald endorsement: The best choice for Miami-Dade County judge Group 29 | Opinion
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Miami Herald Editorial Board’s 2024 Election Endorsements
In advance of the upcoming primary elections on Aug. 20, 2024, the Editorial Board interviewed and researched candidates to better understand their views on various issues and how their policies will affect their constituents. The goal is to give voters a better idea of who’s the best candidate for each race.
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The race for Miami-Dade County judge Group 29 features a former judge trying to return to the bench, a state representative and a local lawyer who runs her own practice.
On the Aug. 20 primary ballot are: Scott Janowitz, who was appointed in 2020 to fill a vacancy in county court but lost his first election in 2022; Christopher Benjamin, a state representative; and Alina Salcines Restrepo, 50, who’s been a lawyer for 25 years and said she’s handled almost all types of legal cases and been in countless jury trials.
After meeting with the three candidates, the Herald Editorial Board puts Janowitz and Benjamin at the top because both have experience working in county court — also known as the “the people’s court” because it handles citizen disputes, traffic offenses, small crimes and small monetary disputes.
Janowitz, 46, began his career as a Broward County prosecutor before working in civil litigation. To be appointed judge, he underwent the rigorous Judicial Nominating Commission vetting process. During his two years on the bench, he presided over insurance and eviction cases as well as business disputes. He helped launch an online court system to assist landlords and tenants with eviction disputes called Court HELP and helped the court transition to online hearings during the pandemic. He lost to now-Judge Alicia Garcia Priovolos in 2022.
Janowitz said when he took the bench he had more than 9,600 cases assigned to him. He was tasked with helping write administrative rules to streamline and better keep track of cases. When he left the bench, his case load was down to about 6,000 cases, he said.
In a 2022 poll of lawyers with the Cuban American Bar Association, nearly 70% answered Janowitz was either “exceptionally qualified” or “qualified” as a judge and only 5.5% said he was “unqualified.”
“I didn’t care if it was a five-minute motion calendar or a special set trial — it doesn’t matter, I was always prepared for that hearing,” Janowitz said.
Benjamin, 50, currently serves in the Florida House as a Democrat but decided not to seek another term to instead run for judge.
Besides working as a private attorney, Benjamin has served as a traffic magistrate in Miami-Dade County court, hearing and deciding traffic cases, as well as an arbitrator and mediator resolving legal conflicts. He’s also been a special magistrate deciding red-light camera and code enforcement cases for several South Florida cities. He’s received dozens of professional accolades during his career.
Benjamin said his experience in the court system has prepared him to become a judge.
“I have the ability to control the courtroom in such a way that makes people feel at ease, because, you know, in county court we deal with a lot of pro-se litigants,” Benjamin said, referring to people who appear before county court without legal representation.
Benjamin and Janowitz both have the knowledge to take the bench, but one candidate’s experience on the bench gives him the leg up.
The Herald Editorial Board endorses SCOTT JANOWITZ for Miami-Dade County judge Group 29.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWho decides the political endorsements?
In advance of local and state elections, Miami Herald Editorial Board members interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The Editorial Board is composed of experienced opinion journalists and is independent of the Herald’s newsroom. Members of the Miami Herald Editorial Board are: Amy Driscoll, editorial page editor; and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
What does the endorsement process look like?
The Miami Herald Editorial Board interviews political candidates to better understand their views on public policy and how their policies will affect their constituents. Board members do additional reporting and research to learn as much as possible about the candidates before making an endorsement. The Editorial Board then convenes to discuss the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. Candidates who decline to be interviewed will not receive an endorsement.
Is the Editorial Board partisan?
No. In making endorsements, members of the Editorial Board consider which candidates are better prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with our editorial stances or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, readiness for office, depth of knowledge of key issues and understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points.
This story was originally published July 30, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
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