StateImpact

Former Election Supervisor Pete Antonacci Lands Chief Judge Position

WFSU | By Blaise Gainey

Published December 15, 2020 at 2:46 PM EST

Peter Antonacci, Broward County Supervisor of Elections, talks with the news media as vote-by-mail ballots are loaded into a truck for transport to a local U.S. Postal Service office at the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Lauderhill, Fla. Vote-by-mail ballots will begin going out to residents in Broward County Thursday. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Governor Ron DeSantis and The Florida Cabinet chose former Broward County Supervisor of Elections Pete Antonacci as the next chief judge of the state Division of Administrative Hearings. This will be Antonacci’s first time in a judicial role.DeSantis said the smooth election in Broward convinced him Antonacci could handle the job.

“What really impressed me I mentioned, in the beginning, Pete Antonacci, Broward elections probably ran as good as they’ve ever run," said DeSantis. "I know that was because of your leadership. And so I would like to make the motion to appoint Pete Antonacci as the Chief Judge.”

That motion was approved 3-1, with the lone Democrat, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried casting the opposing vote. The position was left vacant after John MacIver stepped down after the Florida Senate refused to confirm his appointment during the legislative session.