Putnam County, Florida

Circuit Judge, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Group 26

What this office does

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 › Putnam County › Circuit Judge, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Group 26

Decided at the 2026 primary: Jeanne Stratis won the seat

DECIDED August 18: Jeanne Stratis won outright over Carleen Leffler in this nonpartisan, circuit-wide race decided by the combined vote of St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam and Volusia counties, per the Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office and the Supervisor of Elections' official results; this race will not appear on the November 3 ballot. In Putnam County alone, Stratis received 6,427 votes (58.3 percent) to Leffler's 4,602, per the Putnam County Supervisor of Elections' official Election Summary Report.

Winner

Jeanne Stratis

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Following the law as written
Treating everyone in the courtroom with respect

Per the News4JAX voter guide questionnaire.

Biography

Jeanne Stratis has served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit since 2002, including work in the Career Criminal Unit prosecuting felony, juvenile and violent crime cases, per her campaign site. She holds a Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law and a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Florida.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Also ran in the primary

Carleen Leffler

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Judicial decisions should rest on facts presented, applicable law and governing precedent, not personal beliefs
Improving access to justice through efficient case management, clear communication and mindful use of technology

Per the ClickOrlando voter guide questionnaire.

Biography

Carleen Leffler is a civil law attorney who owns and operates her own law practice handling probate, estate planning, corporate and real estate matters, per the ClickOrlando voter guide. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Webber International University, an MBA from Jacksonville University, and a Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law.

Next on your ballotPalatka City Commissioner, Group 2

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Circuit Judge, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Group 26 in 2026?

The Circuit Judge, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Group 26 race was decided at the 2026 primary - Jeanne Stratis won the seat - and does not appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 2 candidates were on the primary ballot: Jeanne Stratis and Carleen Leffler. Candidate information follows official Putnam County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Circuit Judge, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Group 26 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 Putnam 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.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Putnam County Supervisor of Elections filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Florida election office, or see the full Putnam County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Putnam County ballot

6 tracked races in Putnam County, Florida. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Palatka City Commissioner, Group 4 Town of Pomona Park Mayor Interlachen Town Council (Vote for 2)See all 6 Putnam County races

Candidate profiles

Jeanne Stratis, full profile Carleen Leffler, full profile Official Florida election office