Five people are in the running to become a judge on the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, which serves Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. The Judicial Nominating Commission is sending the list to Governor Rick Scott, who will appoint a successor to Judge Andrew Owens, who is retiring as of March 23rd. Scott will choose between County Court Judge Charles Sniffen, Prosecutor Art Brown III, Assistant State Attorney Andrea McHugh, Manatee County Magistrate Renee Inman and former prosecutor Paul Olah Jr. The governor is expected to make the appointment sometime this month.
