On Thursday, April 16, 2026, the Tallahassee Democrat reported that Leon Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey submitted her resignation letter to the Governor’s Office, effectively ending her 2026 reelection campaign.
The move to resign came a day after the Tallahassee Democrat reported on an impressive fundraising effort by Talley Kaleko, a Tallahassee attorney who had filed to challenge Dempsey last month. The resignation also occurred just before the weeklong qualifying period for judicial office, which was scheduled to start on April 20.
Dempsey released a statement through the court, expressing that she had been “looking forward” to campaigning to retain her seat, which she has held for over 20 years. However, she stated that she had to step down to care for her mother, who is suffering from a “serious, degenerative medical condition” that has recently worsened.
In her letter to Governor DeSantis, dated April 14, Dempsey requested that her resignation be accepted, with an effective date of December 28, 2026. She conveyed that it had been “an honor and a privilege to serve”.
Dempsey had initially filed for reelection in October for the 2nd Judicial Circuit Group 16 race but withdrew her name, according to the Florida Division of Elections website, which also lists Kaleko as “removed.” As of now, neither the race nor the two candidates are listed as active.
Dempsey’s resignation will be effective on Dec. 28, 2026. Typically, a judicial vacancy allows the governor to appoint a replacement. However, term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to leave office on Jan. 5, 2027. According to state Supreme Court precedent, a judicial vacancy occurs when a letter of resignation is received and accepted by the governor. This process would allow time for the circuit’s judicial nominating commission to convene, receive applications, vet candidates, and send a list of recommendations to DeSantis.
In 2023, Dempsey faced criticism for a ruling in DeSantis’ favor that recognized “executive privilege” in Florida law, which allowed DeSantis to withhold the identities of the “legal conservative heavyweights” he consults before selecting state Supreme Court justices.
Kaleko, a first-time candidate, reportedly raised nearly $120,000 in the first quarter of 2026, within three weeks. In comparison, the incumbent Dempsey raised approximately $25,000 during the same period, which is just under half of Kaleko’s donations.
Dempsey was appointed to the Civil Division bench in 2005 by Gov. Jeb Bush and was first elected in 2008, re-elected in 2014 and 2020. Kaleko clerked for U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle and has practiced personal injury and civil rights litigation for 25 years. She is also the co-founder and president of LawCite, a trial consulting business.
Circuit judges handle felony and juvenile cases and civil lawsuits worth $50,000 or more and are paid $200,836 a year. The 2nd Judicial Circuit, based in Tallahassee, includes Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties.
Source: Tallahassee Democrat
