Herald endorsement: Our choice for Miami-Dade’s circuit judge Group 76 | Opinion
.png "Spencer Eig, left, and Yenly Dominguez are running in Group 76.")
In the Group 76 race for Miami-Dade’s 11th Circuit Court judge, voters will choose between Miami lawyer Yenly Dominguez and incumbent Judge Spencer Eig.
Dominguez has a passion for the law, with experience in civil litigation and probate cases. She’s been practicing since 2019. Our endorsement, though, goes to the much more experienced Eig. He has been a judge for over 20 years and has worked in many court divisions, including civil, criminal and probate.
Eig, 66, has been a circuit judge since 2005, when he was appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. He was subsequently reelected and hadn’t faced an opponent until this year.
Previously, he was an assistant U.S. attorney, a criminal defense attorney and an unsuccessful candidate in 1997 for Miami Beach commissioner. When he was in private practice, he became known as the attorney representing the Miami cousins of Elian Gonzalez. The 5-year-old boy, found clinging to an inner tube off the coast of Florida on Thanksgiving Day in 1999, triggered an international custody battle between the U.S. and Cuba.
Eig also handled a high-profile ruling about reopening schools during the pandemic, siding with Gov. Ron DeSantis by moving the case to Tallahassee. This year, in a different case, he ruled that a class-action suit can go forward against the city of Miami over potential harm from the incinerator known as Old Smokey in Coconut Grove.
As a judge, he said he enjoys “working every day with regular people and their regular problems.” He currently serves in the civil division of the courts, but he said he has made it a point to work in every division possible.
He said he pushes “compromise and communication” to help close cases, which has helped him lower his caseload. “I think experience did play a big part in that,” he said.
Dominguez, 43, is a Miami native with a background in civil litigation and probate. She emphasized her commitment to public service and her trial experience, saying she has participated in 50 to 80 jury trials. She said case management is one of the biggest challenges facing the judiciary today.
She said decided to run against a sitting judge because “voters deserve the opportunity of a choice, and I believe I bring qualities that are important to the bench: preparedness, fairness, patience, strong commitment to public service.”
Eig’s experience on the bench makes him the more qualified. The Herald endorses SPENCER EIG for 11th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Group 76.
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.