As part of our commitment to providing you with what you need to make an informed decision in the 2026 elections, News 6 joined with the News Collaborative of Central Florida to present the Voting Central Florida 2026 Voter’s Guide.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 is the Florida Statewide Primary election, a mix of party primaries and nonpartisan local elections, such as school board races, judicial races, and county commission races in some counties.
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[ELECTION 2026: Make sure you’re eligible to vote|How to vote by mail|Election Myths]
Florida has a closed primary system, which means only members of a political party may vote in party primaries. To be eligible, a voter had to identify with that party by July 20.
However, judicial races and local races, for the most part, are open to all registered voters, regardless of political party.
Everything you need to know in order to vote in the Aug. 18 Statewide Primary, including how to vote by mail, vote early, and vote on Election Day, can be found in our Election 2026 section HERE.
Seventh Circuit Judge – Group 26 candidates
The Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida handles state civil and criminal cases for Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties. These are nonpartisan races, open to all voters.
Of the 13 groups up for election this year, only Group 26 drew more than one candidate. Carleen Leffler and Jeane Stratis are running to be the judge for this seat. Leffler is a civil law attorney, while Stratis is an assistant state attorney.
The News Collaborative of Central Florida created a list of common questions to ask the candidates. Questionnaires were sent to all candidates.
Not all of the candidates responded. Where candidates did not respond, we have filled out the information to the best of our abilities.
Our News Collaborative partners at Central Florida Public Media compiled the candidate responses for the Seventh Circuit Court race. Below is an excerpt of each candidate’s profile.
You can see the full Central Florida Public Media Voting Guide HERE.
Carleen Leffler
WEBSITE: www.lefflerforjudge.com/
What is your education?
- Webber International University -- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, December 2008
- Jacksonville University -- Master of Business Administration, December 2011
- Florida Coastal School of Law -- Juris Doctor, December 2011
What role should personal values play in judicial decision-making?
Personal values should play a role in how a judge performs the duties of the judicial office, but they should not determine the outcome of a case. Values such as integrity, impartiality, humility, diligence, and professionalism help ensure that every person is heard, every case is carefully considered, and every decision is grounded in the rule of law. Judicial decisions should be based on the facts presented, the applicable law, and governing precedent, not on a judge’s personal beliefs or preferences.
What professional experiences have best prepared you for the bench?
The professional experiences that have best prepared me for the bench are the breadth of my legal experience, owning and operating my own law practice, and my leadership in professional and community organizations. Throughout my career, I have represented individuals, families, and businesses in probate, estate planning, corporate, and real estate matters, helping clients through some of the most significant moments of their lives. Practicing in small and large law firms, as well as operating my own law practice, has given me an appreciation for the perspectives of clients and attorneys alike and an understanding of the practical challenges faced by those who come before the court. My leadership in professional and community organizations has further strengthened my commitment to professionalism, preparation, and public service. Together, these experiences have equipped me with the perspective to thoughtfully consider each case with an open mind and faithfully apply the law to the facts presented.
How do you balance precedent with evolving societal standards?
I believe a judge’s responsibility is to faithfully apply the law, including binding precedent, to the unique facts of each case. Precedent promotes consistency, stability, and predictability in our legal system. As societal standards evolve, the law can evolve through legislative action or decisions of higher courts. Throughout my legal career, staying current with changes in the law has been an essential part of my practice. As the law has evolved, I have adapted my advice to clients and my advocacy to reflect those changes. Likewise, a circuit judge must remain informed of developments in the law and faithfully apply the law as it exists, while setting aside personal opinions or preferences. In that way, precedent and evolving societal standards are balanced by faithfully applying the law as it exists while recognizing changes that occur through the legislative process and binding decisions of higher courts.
What steps do you take to avoid conflicts of interest?
I avoid conflicts of interest by remaining mindful of my ethical obligations and identifying potential issues, including circumstances that could create the appearance of impropriety, as early as possible. Throughout my legal career, I have conducted thorough conflict checks, carefully evaluated potential conflicts, and complied with my professional responsibilities. Those same principles apply to the responsibilities of a circuit judge. Taking appropriate steps to identify and address conflicts of interest, including making appropriate disclosures and taking any action required under the Code of Judicial Conduct, is essential to maintaining public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
What barriers to justice do you see in the current system, and how would you address them?
There are a number of barriers to justice, but the top three I have observed throughout my practice are the cost of obtaining legal services, the challenges faced by self-represented parties, and access to technology.
Many legal matters, including probate proceedings, often require the assistance of an attorney even when they are not adversarial. While a circuit judge cannot eliminate those costs, I would address this barrier by being well prepared, managing cases efficiently, and minimizing avoidable delays, which can help reduce unnecessary expenses.
Self-represented parties often face difficulties navigating court procedures and understanding the legal process. Through my probate practice, I have worked with self-represented beneficiaries and have seen those challenges firsthand. While a judge must remain impartial and cannot provide legal advice, I would address this barrier by conducting proceedings in a clear, organized, and respectful manner and communicating the process as clearly as possible.
Finally, technology has improved the efficiency of our courts through electronic filing, e-service, and virtual proceedings, but not everyone has reliable internet access or the technological skills to navigate those systems. I would address this barrier by remaining mindful of those challenges, making appropriate use of technology, and striving to ensure court proceedings remain as accessible and understandable as possible while complying with the applicable rules.
Jeanne Stratis
WEBSITE: stratis4judge.com/home
What is your education?
- JD from Florida Coastal School of Law
- BS from University of South Florida
What role should personal values play in judicial decision-making?
Absolutely zero. A judge’s role is to follow the law as it is written.
What professional experiences have best prepared you for the bench?
I’ve been an Assistant State Attorney for 25 years. Currently handling Homicides, Sex Crimes, Internet Crimes Against Children, Prison Releasee Reoffenders, and other high-profile cases. I have 25 years of courtroom experience, running dockets, managing caseloads, making serious and well-reasoned decisions that follow the law.
How do you balance precedent with evolving societal standards?
As a circuit judge, my role would be to follow the law, as it is written. The legislature is tasked with writing/revising laws.
What steps do you take to avoid conflicts of interest?
Get off the case.
What barriers to justice do you see in the current system, and how would you address them?
Rule on motions in a timely manner so both sides know how to proceed with their cases. Keep personal opinion out of the courtroom.