3 Florida justices leading retention bids - FOX 35 News Orlando

By KELLI KENNEDY
Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) -- Three Florida Supreme Court justices are winning a retention bid despite an unprecedented push by the Republican Party of Florida to oust them.  
 
The Republican Party's executive committee unanimously voted to oppose R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince in Tuesday's election.  With about half the expected vote counted Tuesday, about 68 percent of voters were in favor of retaining the justices.

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The GOP had called them extremists. It marked the first time a Florida political party has taken a position in a retention race.  
 
The justices' supporters include some prominent Republicans. They say the GOP is endangering judicial independence and that the three have done nothing that deserves removal.  
 
Republican Gov. Rick Scott would appoint replacements from candidates recommended by a nominating panel, also appointed by Scott.