Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.
This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels.
Florida › Duval County › Duval County Court Judge Group 1
DECIDED August 18: Matt Lufrano won outright with 57 percent (79,154 votes) over Latoya Williams Shelton, per News4JAX with over 99 percent of precincts reporting. This race will not appear on the November 3 ballot.
Nonpartisan
Per the campaign site.
Lufrano is an attorney with nearly two decades of legal experience, board-certified in criminal trial law by the Florida Bar, and has tried more than 80 jury cases to verdict, per the campaign site.
$301,375 raised · county campaign-finance filings
Nonpartisan
Per the campaign site.
Latoya Williams Shelton is an attorney who heads the Jacksonville firm Latoya Williams Shelton PA, with a law degree from Florida A&M, per her campaign site and firm website.
$121,787 raised · county campaign-finance filings
Who is running for Duval County Court Judge Group 1 in 2026?
The Duval County Court Judge Group 1 race was decided at the 2026 primary - Matt Lufrano won the seat - and does not appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 2 candidates were on the primary ballot: Matt Lufrano and Latoya Williams Shelton. Candidate information follows official Duval County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Duval County Court Judge Group 1 election in Florida?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Florida are on the Florida election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Duval County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Duval County Supervisor of Elections filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Florida election office, or see the full Duval County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
8 tracked races in Duval County, Florida. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.