Calls for local judge on Duval’s Elections Canvassing board to resign

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE:

Judge Brent Shore has resigned from the Duval Elections Canvassing Board.

Duval County Supervisor of Elections, Mike Hogan, confirmed that with WOKV. He also said that there are three judges that could step up to the plate and fill Shore’s spot. Those judges are Judges Gary Flower, Dawn Hudson and Eleni Derke.

In an interview before Shore’s resignation, City Councilmember Michael Boylan, one of the three board members on the Canvassing Board, said that they have gone through almost one thousand ballots so far, and nothing will change as all decisions have been done unanimously.

The Vice Chair of the Duval Democratic Party and incoming State Representative, Angie Nixon, is arguing that all previously rejected ballots should be reviewed.

Original Story:

A local judge and head of Duval County’s canvassing board is under fire after a recent investigation showed that he donated money to President Trump’s re-election campaign and had several signs promoting Republican candidates at his home.

The Florida Times-Union found that Duval County Judge Brent Shore had several signs on his lawn that were promoting President Trump and Congressman John Rutherford. According to the Times-Union, Shore’s wife, Kathryn Shore, said that the signs were hers' and the donor database must be wrong because her husband hasn’t donated to Trump.

According to campaign finance individual contributions, Shore has contributed several times to the Trump campaign, and WinRed, a GOP PAC. The most recent contribution was $28.50 to the Trump re-election campaign on September 6.

However this violates Judicial rules that bar judges from political donations of any kind. Judges are not allowed to publicly endorse or publicly oppose another candidate for public office or make a contribution to a political organization or candidate. In a Judicial Ethics Committee, they ruled that the judge should not encourage, authorize, or place a spouse’s political sign in the judge’s yard.

“The campaign sign in the yard of the residence jointly owned by the judge and spouse conveys to the public a message that the judge supports the candidate. Likewise, a campaign sign on the jointly owned automobile conveys the same message. This is true even when the judge is operating a motor vehicle solely owned by the judge’s spouse. In all of the above scenarios, the judge is identified with the endorsement," the committee ruled in the 2006 case.

Shore has served as chairman of the canvassing board because of his role as a county judge. Shore has previously served as chairman of the Duval County Canvassing Board in 2000.

WOKV reached out to Mike Hogan about Shores' signs and financial contributions. He said that he called Chief Judge Mark Mahon last night. When it comes to the Canvassing Board, Hogan said it will be up to Mahon on if there will be any changes.

“I do not know all the legal limitations on Judges as it relates to political activity nor do I have any jurisdiction over a Judge. I also do not know if a Judge’s limitations are imposed on their wife or husband,” Hogan said in a statement to WOKV. “I will not express an opinion until I know all the facts.”

Hogan did say he expects Mahon to investigate the matter.

WOKV has reached out to Chief Judge Mark Mahon, but has yet to receive comment.

City Councilmember Michael Boylan, one of the three board members on the Canvassing Board, says it would be appropriate for Shore to step down.

“It was made very clear to us in taking on the role and responsibility of the canvassing board we should avoid any appearance or actual support for any individual," Boylan said.

The Vice Chair of the Duval Democratic Party and incoming State Representative, Angie Nixon, is calling for the resignation of Shore.

“It’s clear his actions are in violation of the rules, along with his decisions to prevent transparency have undermined the public’s trust in the Canvassing Board,” Nixon tweeted. “If Judge Shore doesn’t resign, I’m calling on Chief Judge Mahon to remove him immediately.”

The Northside Coalition of Jacksonville has also released a statement saying that Shore should resign.

“The root of all evil is the abuse of power and Judge Shore has misused and abused his office, his position and his authority," Ben Frazier, President of the Northside Coalition, said. “Mr. Shore should resign from the Vote Counting Board and his judgeship immediately. If he fails to leave on his own power then he should be kicked off the board and the bench by any means necessary.”

WOKV has reached out to Shore, but has yet to receive comment.

Cox Media Group