Hillsborough judicial candidate appears to have violated campaign rules

Tampa attorney Lanell Williams-Yulee signed up two months ago to run for the judicial seat occupied by County Judge Dick Greco Jr.

To kick start her efforts, Williams-Yulee's campaign recently sent out a letter in which she appears to personally seek contributions. One problem: Judicial candidates aren't allowed to solicit their own donations.

Though the letter, which also appears on her campaign Web site, includes Williams-Yulee's signature and is written in first-person, her campaign manager said Williams-Yulee didn't write it. He said her committee members drafted the letter and didn't understand the restrictions that judicial candidates face.

Stetson University political science professor T. Wayne Bailey was surprised by the campaign mailing.

"Gee, I've run into many issues, but this one I hadn't run into," he told the Times. "Because it's so black letter, you see."

To read more, click here.

Colleen Jenkins, Times Staff Writer

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Hillsborough county judge gets bump to Circuit Court

TAMPA -- Hillsborough County Judge Elizabeth Rice was promoted today.

Gov. Charlie Crist took time out of his busy day to appoint Rice to the Circuit Court. She fills a vacancy left by Judge Marva Crenshaw, who was appointed to the 2nd District Court of Appeal.

Rice, 44, a University of Florida graduate, has served as a county judge since 2005.

"Judge Rice is an accomplished leader with extensive experience handling civil and criminal matters," Crist said in a released statement. "Her Hispanic heritage and diverse personal background also give her invaluable insight and perspective that help her efficiently serve from the bench."

Her new role means more work for the local Judicial Nominating Commission, now required to interview applicants to fill Rice's spot on the county bench.

Colleen Jenkins, Times Staff Writer

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Greco appointed to Hillsborough bench -- again

It's round two for Dick Greco Jr. on the Hillsborough County bench.

Gov. Charlie Crist selected Greco, 55, late Friday for an open county court seat, eight years after Greco abruptly left the bench to return to private practice.

The son of the former Tampa mayor previously was a judge for 11 years, serving on both the county and circuit bench. He began filling in as a senior judge last year, in addition to working as a mediator with Greco Mediations Inc.

"Dick's 27 years of practicing law and 11 years on the bench have given him significant experience to serve on the county court," Crist said in a released statement. "His role as a mediator and service as a senior judge will give him a unique perspective for the many decisions he will be required to make as a county court judge."

Colleen Jenkins, Times staff writer

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Meet the Hillsborough judicial candidates

Here are the judical candidates who applied to the 13th circuit Judicial Nominating Commission for circuit judge in Hillsborough County:

Herbert Berkowitz; Ada Carmona; Helene Daniel; Constance Daniels; Thomas Dickerhoof ; Gary Dolgin; Tomas Gacio; John Holsonback; Carolle Hooper; Paul Huey; Robert Kelly; Jenifer Lehner; Matthew Lucas; Yvette MacMillan; Nick Nazaretian; Kyle Pennington; Randall Reder; Elizabeth Rice; Ryan Rodems; Christopher Shulman; John Terry; Cheryl Thomas; Barbara Twine-Thomas; Richard Weis; Zachary White; Lanell Williams.