Konk Life’s Political Questionnaire
Interview conducted by Mark Howell
Tell us your age, what office you’re running for and any previous offices held.
I am 60 years old. I am asking the voters to re-elect me Circuit Judge, Group 1, an office that I have been privileged to hold for 17 years.
Explain your platform and why you are running.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve as a Judge for the past 17 years. I seek re-election because I care deeply about the office that has been entrusted to me and the opportunity it provides me to help my community. As the most experienced circuit judge in Monroe County, I have presided over thousands of civil and criminal cases in every division of Circuit Court including adult and juvenile drug court and family treatment court. I have presided over many serious, complex and high-profile cases, as well as capital murder cases that I have been certified to handle.
My judicial philosophy has always been based on an absolute commitment to fairness, honesty and respect. My future performance as a judge will be based on a strong foundation of experience, knowledge and integrity. I will continue to ensure that my courtroom is open to all who seek justice, no matter their walk in life, no matter their circumstances. The people of the Keys can depend on me to continue to work hard and make fair and just decisions.
Detail how you differ from your competing candidates.
My experience, knowledge and long-term commitment to our judicial system make me the most qualified candidate. I served on active duty in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged when my military service was completed. I have been an attorney for 34 years and a Monroe County resident for the same period of time. I have served as a circuit judge in the Keys for over 17 years and have learned how to perform every aspect of the job both in the courtroom and in the administration of our court system, having been elected by my fellow and sister judges to serve as the chief judge for Monroe County. I have presided over many types of civil and criminal cases in every division of the Circuit Court and maintained an absolute commitment to honesty, fairness and respect.
On a personal note, I have been a long-standing, permanent resident of the Keys for several decades. I honor and treasure the diversity of our community and the unique challenges we face as we strive to protect all that we hold dear. I humbly believe that I possess the knowledge, the skill, the compassion and the community commitment that is essential to our justice system.
Tell us your personal history — education; professional career; family life and your relationship to the Florida Keys and/or Key West.
I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. I have one brother. My mother, who is 84 years old, still resides in Buffalo. My dad passed away in 2007. I have a strong family tradition. I am married to the former Marleny Hernandez and we are blessed to have 3 children, ages 19 years, 2 ½ years and 6 months.
In 1975, I graduated with honors from Dartmouth College and in 1979, I earned my law degree from State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law and was admitted to the New York State Bar. In 1980 I went on active duty as a U.S. Navy legal officer (Judge Advocate General [JAG]) Corps. After completing Naval Justice School with honors, I reported to my duty station at the Naval Legal Service Office Detachment, Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida in 1980. While in the Navy, I was admitted to the Florida Bar and have been a member in good standing of the Florida Bar since that time.
I served as a Navy Legal Officer until 1984 when I was honorably discharged. I remained in the Keys and continued working as an attorney in private practice and at the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office.
In 1987, I took a break from the practice of law and was a Key West fishing guide for a year.
In 1996, I was elected to circuit court judge, a position I have been privileged to hold since that election.
The Keys have been my permanent home for 34 years. I reside in Key West.
Touch on your personal passions in addition to the above.
In addition to the love of my family and my commitment to my work as a judge, when time permits fishing is a great passion for me. Fishing has been in my blood since my grandfather taught me to fish when I was a little boy. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I love to go out on the ocean in my 26-foot boat, breathe the sea air, feel close to nature and experience the excitement of catching the magnificent fish that swim in the waters of the Florida Keys. I am looking forward to sharing my love for fishing with my two young sons.
Describe where, in your view, we might be going wrong in the Keys and/or Key West.
In my view, we are not “going wrong” in the Keys. Of course, just like every other community, the Keys face problems and challenges and there exist legitimate disagreements as to how they should be addressed. However, we live in one of the greatest places on earth. Our community has demonstrated time and time again its ability to resolve disputes and differences in a productive and positive manner.
Tell us anything you feel you need to explain or any misapprehension you believe voters may have of you.
The job of a trial judge is not to make law but rather to apply the law, as it was written by the Florida Legislature, to the unique facts presented by each case. Trial judges and jurors are sworn to follow the law and consider only the evidence that is presented in the courtroom. As much as a trial judge might not agree with a law, or a criminal sentence that the Legislature has established, it is the duty of the trial judge to follow the law when rendering decisions and imposing punishment for criminal activity. Anything short of that standard would soon lead to the resulting collapse of our treasured judicial system that is the envy of the world.
Name your favorite movie.
“An Officer and a Gentleman”
Your favorite TV show.
“The Andy Griffith Show”
Your favorite TV talking head.
Chris Berman, ESPN sports
Your favorite newspaper columnist.
Greg Cote, Miami Herald sports writer
Your favorite book.
Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea”
Your favorite character in American history.
Benjamin Franklin
Your favorite person in Florida Keys and/or Key West history.
The late, Circuit Judge Ignatius Lester, who swore me in both as a lawyer and as a judge.
Your favorite quote or proverb.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s statement during the height of the Great Depression that “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Any secret strength you’d like to reveal about yourself at this point?
My secret strength is the unbounding love that I share with my 84-year old mother, who is a great source of guidance, wisdom and inspiration for me.
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