At least three election contest suits have been filed in Leon County which challenge the outcome of State House and Senate primaries conducted on August 14th.
In Addie L. Greene, et al. v. Jeff Clemens, et al. the unsuccessful candidate in a State Senate primary sued his successful primary opponent alleging the improper rejection by the Palm Beach Supervisor of Elections and Canvassing Board of over 40 absentee ballots. The winner of this primary was decided by 17 votes. Read this UPDATE.
In James Bush, III v. Dwight Bullard, an unsuccessful primary candidate for the State Senate sued his successful primary opponent alleging irregularities in the processing of absentee ballots and a violation of the “resign to run” law, F.S. 99.012(3). This election was separated by 3,085 votes.
In John Patrick Julien v. Barbara Watson, et al. the unsuccessful primary candidate for State House, District 107, sued his successful opponent alleging improprieties in the casting and processing of absentee ballots, including misconduct committed by “ballot brokers” who collected to absentee ballots from people living in assisted living facilities.
About Thomas D. Shults, Esq.
Tom Shults is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. He has represented clients in election and sunshine law issues, complex business and commercial disputes and probate and trust suits. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1983 and has maintained an active trial practice in state and federal courts for over 35 years.
Mr. Shults successfully represented the Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections in Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections et al. v. Browning et al. , where the Florida Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of Sarasota County’s charter election law amendments.
Mr. Shults has served on the Professional Ethics Committee of The Florida Bar and is the past Chairman of the Code and Rules of Evidence Committee of The Florida Bar. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Community Service Award of the Sarasota County Bar Association for his work with the Sarasota Mental Health Community Centers. In 2013 he was nominated for circuit court judge by the 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Committee.
Mr. Shults has served on the faculty of the Kessler-Eidson Program for Trial Techniques at Emory University School of Law and on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy Program for Practicing Lawyers at Nova Southeastern University School of Law.
Mr. Shults grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and is a graduate of St. Petersburg High School (1973), Florida State University (B.S. 1977) and Washburn University School of Law (J.D. cum laude 1982). He is veteran of the United States Army.
At least three election contest suits have been filed in Leon County which challenge the outcome of State House and Senate primaries conducted on August 14th. 