ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – After being suspended last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis on accusations of “neglect” and “incompetence,” former Ninth Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell won her job back after defeating incumbent Andrew Bain.

The Ninth Judicial Circuit handles court cases in Orange and Osceola counties.

Regarding Worrell’s suspension, DeSantis claimed she was too lenient on some criminals, including juvenile offenders, and avoided minimum mandatory sentencing guidelines.

Worrell denied DeSantis’ criticisms, instead claiming she was suspended because of her policies involving police accountability and demanding that law enforcement officers build better cases during criminal investigations.

While she sued in state court to be reinstated, the Florida Supreme Court ultimately sided with DeSantis, ruling that the suspension was reasonable.

Following her removal, Bain — a former DeSantis-appointed judge — was appointed to her role. Since then, he’s made multiple policy changes, pledged to review cases dropped by Worrell and used a grand jury to review law enforcement use-of-force cases.

Worrell released the following statement on her win:

Tonight’s results underscore the resilience of our democracy and a powerful message from the people: No governor’s petty political maneuvers and no amount of dark money can silence the voices of thousands who demand a fair, smart approach to justice over the failed, outdated policies of the past. Despite a flood of over $2.5 million in Republican attack ads lying about my record, our community stood strong and united, declaring that enough is enough. We are ready to restore integrity and experience to the State Attorney’s office.

I am deeply grateful for the incredible support this campaign received from the community. Together, we’ll continue the work we began in 2020 that brought violent crime to its lowest level in a decade. We’re bringing back a State Attorney who knows this role isn’t about racking up convictions but about pursuing justice without bending to a political agenda. I am committed to leading with the integrity and dedication that this office and our community deserve. Today, we reclaim the leadership that will prioritize safety, fairness, and the true values of justice.

Bain made a Facebook post following the election results:

Dear Team Bain,

A Heartfelt Thank You to My Supporters: Together, We Will Continue to Keep Our Community Safe

To all my supporters, I want to express my deepest gratitude. Your dedication, trust, and belief in our mission have made all the difference. Together, we have built something strong, and your voices have been a critical part of our continued fight for justice and safety in our community.

I am humbled to be able to serve the remainder of my term. I remain committed to ensuring that our neighborhoods, families, and children are protected.

I promise to continue leading with integrity, transparency, and a focus on justice. We will maintain a balanced approach—holding offenders accountable while working on solutions to reduce crime and support rehabilitation where needed. My commitment to building a safer, stronger community remains unwavering.

With an exceptional team of both seasoned prosecutors and passionate young attorneys, we will continue the work we have started. Together, we will fight for justice, pursue fairness, and ensure that every decision made from this office prioritizes the safety and well-being of the people.

Thank you for standing by me and for believing in our shared vision. The work continues, and with your support, we will keep our community safe—now and in the future.

Sincerely,

Andrew A. Bain, Esq.

State Attorney

Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida

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Meet the candidates

Andrew Bain: Website

Bain is running as a no-party-affiliate candidate.

Prior to is appointment as the current Ninth Circuit State Attorney, he served on the Ninth Judicial Circuit as an assistant state attorney for seven years, as well as on the bench as a judge for over three years.

While attending the University of Miami for his studies, Bain majored in psychology and African American studies with a minor in business law. Nowadays, he teaches as a professor at Florida A&M College of Law.

In 2020, Bain was appointed as a judge to the Orange County bench and was officially elected to the position in 2022. He ultimately stepped down from that position to return to the Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in August 2023 after being selected by DeSantis.

[RELATED: Who is Andrew Bain?]

Monique Worrell: Website

Worrell is running as a democratic candidate.

She was elected to the position of State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in 2020, serving as the chief prosecutor until her removal in 2023.

Before her time as state attorney, Worrell graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Law with a law degree and became a public defender in Orange County. From there, she pivoted toward a private practice and taught as a clinical law professor at her alma mater.

While in her position as the state attorney, Worrell acted as the founding director for the office’s Conviction Integrity Unit, which led investigations into claims of wrongful conviction.

[RELATED: Who is Monique Worrell?]