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State’s blocking of Mayfield from Senate race ‘meritless,’ state Supreme Court rules

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floridaphoenix.com – Jay Waagmeester – 2025-02-13 17:55:00

State’s blocking of Mayfield from Senate race ‘meritless,’ state Supreme Court rules

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix
February 13, 2025

The Florida Supreme Court expects Secretary of State Cord Byrd to include Rep. Debbie Mayfield’s name on the ballot in the planned Brevard County state Senate special election, the justices said Thursday in a 25-page opinion.

The court did not formally order Byrd to include her, instead saying it was “confident that the Secretary will promptly comply with this opinion no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday,” the day military and overseas ballots must be sent. 

Mayfield filed to run for the Senate seat, which she term limited out of in November, after Sen. Randy Fine announced he would run for former Rep. Mike Waltz’s seat in the U.S. House.  She’d served in the state House for a matter of months.

Byrd blocked Mayfield from appearing on the Senate ballot, saying she would be violating constitutionally mandated term limits. 

Republican State Sen. Debbie Mayfield via Florida Senate.

Byrd did not cite, nor did the court find, “any source of law” that authorizes the secretary to determine whether a candidate is legally and constitutionally eligible for office, Justice Jamie Grosshans wrote.

Byrd’s role is solely ministerial, the court said — limited to verifying that the necessary forms have been submitted timely and properly. 

Justice Charles Canady concurred but in a sharply worded opinion said the court should have ordered Byrd to comply in light of the “strikingly disingenuous” arguments his legal team offered in the case. 

Canady pointed out that the statute Byrd cited to justify his action “expressly prohibits the Secretary from determining ‘whether the contents of the qualifying papers are accurate.’”

“It is indeed remarkable that the Secretary must be instructed on this elementary legal principle,” Canady wrote. 

“This case has come to us because the Secretary has — without any plausible legal basis — taken action that threatens to disrupt the orderly and fair administration of the special election for Senate District 19,” Canady wrote. 

‘Policy concerns over gamesmanship’

Mayfield signaled she believed Byrd disqualified her as political payback for her endorsement of Donald Trump over Gov. Ron DeSantis during his run to be the GOP presidential nominee. 

The term limit argument Byrd attempted to implement is not in the law, the opinion stated. 

“If the people of Florida want other limitations on the time their elected officials may serve, they can incorporate such language explicitly through the constitutional amendment process,” Grosshans wrote. “However, until they choose to do so, we cannot read a prohibition into the constitution that does not exist because of policy concerns over gamesmanship.”

The Constitution does not impose a specific period of ineligibility to serve in a legislative chamber, nor does it impose a lifetime limit on service, she noted. 

Mayfield’s earlier service in the Senate is “irrelevant” considering she is not in a “current term in office,” the scope required by the Constitution, Canady wrote. He called Byrd’s argument “meritless.” 

When Mayfield left the Senate in November, that ended her consecutive terms. If she wins the Senate race, her consecutive years of service will restart, Grosshans wrote. 

The primary for the Senate seat is April 1 and the general election is June 10. Mayfield’s resignation from the House is effective June 9. 

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Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.

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Florida woman accused of setting fires during burn ban

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Florida woman accused of setting fires during burn ban

www.youtube.com – FOX 35 Orlando – 2025-04-25 08:32:38

SUMMARY: A Florida woman, Amanda Clark, was arrested for allegedly starting multiple fires during a burn ban. While the Forest Service was working to contain an existing fire near Oberry Hoover Drive, a worker witnessed Clark igniting new flames and instructed her to stop, but she continued. A nearby resident called 911 after seeing heavy smoke. Concerns grew in Palm Bay as additional fires emerged, prompting police to monitor the area. Assistant Fire Chief John Ringleb noted that multiple smoke columns appeared too dispersed to be linked. Palm Bay has since implemented a burn ban and plans to enforce it.

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A woman was arrested Wednesday in Orange County for allegedly setting multiple fires during an active burn ban, according to deputies. Forestry officials say they witnessed Amanda Clark starting fires near a residence and recorded video evidence before she was taken into custody. She was booked into the Orange County Jail on charges of unlawful land burning, with bond set at $2,500. Her initial court appearance is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

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San Francisco inches closer to adopting drug policy with abstinence as its primary goal

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www.clickorlando.com – Janie Har, Associated Press – 2025-04-24 19:52:00

SUMMARY: San Francisco is considering a “recovery first” drug policy that prioritizes abstinence from illicit drugs. This proposal, led by Supervisor Matt Dorsey, is controversial, with critics arguing it alienates those not ready to quit, while supporters assert that safer drug use doesn’t address addiction. Dorsey, a recovering addict, clarified that the proposal still acknowledges the importance of harm reduction and social services. Mayor Daniel Lurie aims to tackle the city’s fentanyl crisis, following over 600 overdose deaths last year. The Board of Supervisors will vote on the proposal next month, with support from most members expected.

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South Florida Weather for Thursday 4/24/2025 12PM

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South Florida Weather for Thursday 4/24/2025 12PM

www.youtube.com – CBS Miami – 2025-04-24 11:34:40

SUMMARY: On Thursday, April 24, 2025, South Florida will experience warm temperatures in the low to mid-80s, accompanied by east winds leading to rough surf and a high risk of rip currents. While the weather radar is mostly dry, isolated showers are possible. Tonight’s Lexus Corporate Run in downtown Miami will feature CBS Miami’s meteorologists, including Ivan Cabera and Lauren Pastron. Safety alerts recommend avoiding ocean swimming due to rip currents. This weekend, the Miami Takes Steps event at Riata Park will support the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, with pleasant weather conditions expected. Overall, highs will remain in the low 80s with minimal rain chances.

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NEXT Weather meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez says Thursday afternoon will remain partly cloudy and breezy.

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