Prosecutor Sean Brewer leads the election for the Eighth Judicial Circuit.
A runoff election held Tuesday between Sean Brewer and AuBroncee Martin determined who’ll fill the vacancy in the Eighth Judicial Circuit. As of Tuesday night, Brewer leads the race with more than two-thirds of the votes.
The Eighth Judicial Circuit is made up of 13 circuit judges and presides over the counties of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union.
The vacancy was due to the retirement of Judge Monica J. Brasington.
As of 10:11 p.m., Brewer holds the majority of votes, with 66.6% overall, to Martin’s 33.4%.
During Aug. 23’s primary election, Brewer received 38% of votes to Martin’s 25% — resulting in Tuesday’s runoff. In Alachua County, Martin Brewer received 29% of votes in the primary election, compared with Martin’s 33% lead.
Brewer, a prosecutor, has focused on crimes against women and children for the past 24 years, he said. He has also worked as division chief for Crimes Against Women and Children for the past decade.
Brewer wanted to run for the Eighth Judicial Circuit because he believes it’s an opportunity to further service the community and have a greater impact, he said.
“I felt like it was my next step in service,” Brewer said.
Martin has been a public defender for the past 24 years and is currently the felony division chief in the Office of Public Defender.
Martin wanted to run for the Eighth Judicial Circuit because it was a goal of his, he said, and he believes he is equipped with skills to do well by the people.
“I’ve had aspirations of being a judge for some time now,” Martin said. “I look at it as the best use of my abilities.”
Contact Naomi at nvolcy@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @volcyn_ .
Naomi Volcy is a third-year journalism major and the university general assignment reporter for The Alligator. Previously, she was an Avenue staff writer. In her spare time, she enjoys reading mangas, listening to R&B or Indie Rock and dressing up.
