It looks like challenging incumbents and burning political institutions could be a family affair in one Lake County home.
Francheska Sabatini, wife to congressional candidate Anthony Sabatini, will challenge a Judge appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Lake County Supervisor of Elections confirmed that the Mount Dora lawyer qualified to run against Lake County Judge Chad Monty.
That news came the same day Sabatini, a former state Representative who spent his last year in the House exiled to a basement office, qualified to challenge U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, a Clermont Republican.
The Florida Bar confirms that both Sabatinis remain members in good standing eligible to practice law in the state. The two make up the entire roster of lawyers at Sabatini Law. Francheska Sabatini has practiced law for 12 years.
She now looks to oust Monty from the bench a year after DeSantis appointed the Sorrento attorney to the Group 4 judgeship.
Monty’s seat on the bench was created by legislation passed in 2022 (HB 7027).
Monty before his appointment served as an Assistant State Attorney in Florida’s 5th Judicial Circuit, starting in 2012. He also has owned his own practice. Monty earned his law degree at Stetson University. He got his bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University.
Francheska Sabatini earned her law degree from Florida A&M Law School in 2012, and also holds a master of laws from George Washington University Law School.
Both Sabatinis have been involved in local GOP politics. Francheska Sabatini in 2020 was elected as the Republican Party state committeewoman representing Lake County and served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. That post is now held by Barbara Price.
Anthony Sabatini serves as Chair of the Lake County Republican Party, a position he won in 2022 after defeating incumbent Chair Walter Price. He was part of a network of candidates connected to Michael Flynn, a former White House National Security Advisor working with right-wing fringe causes across the county.
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