Gary Farmer opts against Primary battle, will seek judge’s bench

Sen. Gary Farmer, who was the Senate Democratic Leader until last April, has filed to run for an open judge position in the 17th Circuit Court in Broward County.

Farmer first won his Senate seat in 2016 and again in 2020. The state’s decennial redistricting this year put him in the same district as Sen. Jason Pizzo, and seeking re-election would have forced them into a Primary.

He served as Democratic Senate Leader until last April. His six-month tenure was marked with intra-party turmoil until he was ousted by Sen. Lauren Book.

If elected judge, Farmer would replace Judge Barbara McCarthy.

– Anne Geggis, Florida Politics