Broward judge getting reprimand for violating political activity ban

TALLAHASSEE — A Broward County circuit judge will face a public reprimand from the Florida Supreme Court because of violating a ban on partisan political activity during his 2018 election campaign.

The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously ruled that Circuit Judge Ernest Kollra should face a reprimand after an investigation by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.

The investigation involved two incidents, including Kollra telling the South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board that he was a registered Republican.

Kollra, who narrowly won his race, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board during an endorsement interview that he is a registered Republican.

The question was raised during a discussion about Kollra’s 2016 appointment to the bench by Republican Gov. Rick Scott.

During that same interview, Kollra’s opponent, Alan Schneider, declined to disclose his party affiliation and suggested Kollra was not permitted to discuss his party affiliation during the campaign.

Judicial races are nonpartisan, and the rules governing candidates’ conduct are spelled out — partisanship is forbidden.

According to the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which polices ethics violations by judges, Kollra realized he was wrong to disclose his party registration when Schneider raised the issue. But a few weeks after his disclosure, Kollra obtained the endorsement of the Dolphin Democratic Club, then boasted about it at a forum hosted by the Hills Democratic Club.

Again, as he left the stage, Kollra was approached by another candidate and realized he was wrong to highlight the partisan endorsement, according to the JQC.

Kollra ended up winning by 2,108 votes out of 227,226 cast.

“Judge Kollra clearly introduced partisan political activity into a nonpartisan judicial election ,” the Supreme Court’s Thursday ruling said. “Judge Kollra first represented himself as a registered Republican while being interviewed by a newspaper’s editorial board. Judge Kollra later touted his endorsement by a partisan political organization affiliated with the Democratic Party.”

The order did not set a date for the reprimand.