1976 Florida Supreme Court election, Group 3

none September 2023 1976 Florida Supreme Court election, Group 3 Florida presidential no 1970 1980fn4 The next election was held under a new system where a new appointee was confirmed or rejected by a statewide vote, as per constitutional reforms enacted in 1976. September 7, 1976 170x170px Joseph W. Hatchett 514,164 61.4% ab37c8 170x170px Harvie S. DuVal 323,154 38.6% 536c53 1976 Florida Supreme Court Group 3 election unofficial results by county.svg 301px Unofficial county resultsHatchett's triumph: A victory for Askew, too https://www.newspapers.com/image/318513369/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal%20election&match=1 8 April 2023 Tampa Bay Times 9 September 1976fn2 These results are incomplete. At the time of their tabulation by the Tampa Bay Times on 9 September, 3,376 of 3,445 precincts had reported. Due to this, some county results may be inaccurate.Hatchett: #cd87de 50–60% #bc5fd3 60–70% #ab37c8 70–80%DuVal: #93ac93 50–60%No vote/results unknown: #e6e6e6 50–60% Justice Joseph W. Hatchett Joseph W. Hatchett 29% (unofficial)70% of voters ignore primary https://www.newspapers.com/image/318513369/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal%20election&match=1 8 April 2023 Tampa Bay Times 9 September 1976fn1 This statistic is unofficial and calculated by the Tampa Bay Times, not the state canvassing board. It was calculated given the following figures:Votes cast: 1,115,000Registered Democratic and Republican voters: 3,860,000 The 1976 Florida Supreme Court election for Group 3 took place on September 7, 1976. Incumbent Supreme Court Justice Joseph W. Hatchett, appointed to the Court by Governor Reubin Askew in 1975, was elected to a full term on the bench. Hatchett defeated Harvie S. DuVal, a circuit court judge from Miami, by a landslide margin.High Court Runoff Battle Set https://www.newspapers.com/image/798321326/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 Naples Daily News 9 September 1976 This was the last contested election for the Florida Supreme Court before constitutional reforms moved state appeals judges to an uncontested merit election system.Hayes Kelly First Black man on Florida Supreme Court, Joseph Hatchett, has died https://floridapolitics.com/archives/425980-first-black-man-on-florida-supreme-court-joseph-hatchett-has-died/ Florida Politics This election marks the first time an African-American candidate won a statewide election in Florida since Reconstruction.TALLAHASSEE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE RENAMED IN HONOR OF JUSTICE HATCHETT https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/tallahassee-federal-courthouse-renamed-in-honor-of-justice-hatchett/ The Florida Bar 8 April 2023 Only 29% of registered voters in Florida turned out to vote in this election.70% of voters ignore primary https://www.newspapers.com/image/318513369/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal%20election&match=1 8 April 2023 Tampa Bay Times 9 September 1976 Background Justice David McCain, mired in scandal, resigned from the Florida Supreme Court under threat of impeachment by the Florida House of Representatives on August 31, 1975.Justice David Lucius McCain https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/Justices/Former-Justices/Justice-David-Lucius-McCain Florida Supreme Court 8 April 2023 Reubin Askew, then Governor of Florida, appointed Joseph W. Hatchett to the seat. As the first African-American supreme court justice in the state's history, Hatchett's appointment made waves."New Justice Brings State Distinction", Fort Myers News-Press (September 2, 1975), p. 6A. Election Candidates Joseph W. Hatchett, incumbent justice Harvie S. DuVal, circuit court judge from Dade CountyFlorida Bar Considering Ways To Improve Its Judicial Pol https://www.newspapers.com/image/5118757/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 Panama City News-Herald 4 October 1976 Campaign DuVal announced his intention to run against Hatchett on January 14, 1976.Roberts Declines Term In Chief Justice Position https://www.newspapers.com/image/300884275/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 The Orlando Sentinel In his announcement, he claimed that "Qualifications is the only issue," and affirmed that his campaign would not have racial overtones.DuVal To Seek High Court Seat https://www.newspapers.com/image/134139434/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 The Palm Beach Post 15 January 1976 DuVal attacked Hatchett on his record, claiming that he "had done no job at all" and that "he is absent more than he is there."Race Not Issue Says Judge https://www.newspapers.com/image/778692233/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 St. Lucie News Tribune 2 May 1976 He further alleged that Hatchett went on too many speaking tours, neglecting the business of his office.Hatchett Shows Reform Example https://www.newspapers.com/image/212142077/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 Fort Myers News-Press May 8, 1976 Hatchett defended himself from these criticisms, stating that his speaking tours "have in no way interfered with the full performance of my duties."Hatchett Defends Work on Court https://www.newspapers.com/image/125399030/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 Florida Today 6 May 1976 He also stated that he spoke publicly to restore public confidence in the courts after the corruption scandals of the 1970s.Hatchett to continue traveling https://www.newspapers.com/image/245437569/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 Tallahassee Democrat 6 May 1976 Hatchett formally announced his candidacy on May 13, stating that he would limit every campaign contribution to 100 dollars.Justice Hatchett Announces He's Candidate For Election https://www.newspapers.com/image/300882542/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 The Orlando Sentinel 13 May 1976 Reubin Askew, who appointed Hatchett to the Court, campaigned openly for Hatchett and helped him raise money.Askew to campaign openly for Justice Hatchett, aide says https://www.newspapers.com/image/318502102/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 Tampa Bay Times 15 July 1976 DuVal sharply criticized Askew for this, calling it "unfair, unethical, and undemocratic." He went on to accuse Askew of "using the full influence and pressure of his powerful office to raise campaign funds for his appointee."Askew to back Hatchett https://www.newspapers.com/image/245815771/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 Tallahassee Democrat 16 July 1976 In July, DuVal changed his tone, accusing Askew of practicing reverse racism for appointing Hatchett over six other qualified white candidates.Askew to campaign openly for Justice Hatchett, aide says https://www.newspapers.com/image/318502102/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 Tampa Bay Times 15 July 1976 DuVal also repeated a false story claiming that when Askew was given a list of possible appointees to McCain's vacant seat, he sent it back, saying "Send me a black or a woman," with Hatchett being on the next list.DuVal takes the low road https://www.newspapers.com/image/133904267/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal%20nasty&match=1 8 April 2023 The Palm Beach Post Further controversy ensued when it was revealed that DuVal was criticized by the Florida Supreme Court in 1972 for calling the defendant in a rape case an obscene name and made a remark that could be interpreted as anti-Semitic. In early August, the race was described as "having racial overtones."Supreme Court Battle Getting Rough https://www.newspapers.com/image/5050061/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 Panama City News-Herald 1 August 1976 The two candidates debated at Panama City, Florida, on September 1, where they had a very memorable exchange. DuVal spoke first, talking about his family's roots in Florida and how many things, including Duval County, Florida were named after his family. Hatchett simply replied, "My family has been in Florida for 150 years and nothing is named for them." Hatchett was seen by many as the winner of the debate.Woods Mark Mark Woods: 1990s Duval County school prayer case part of Florida courthouse naming controversy https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/columns/mark-woods/2022/04/29/florida-courthouse-naming-controversy-involves-justice-joseph-hatchett-duval-school-prayer-case/7433218001/ Jacksonville.com 8 April 2023 Results 1976 Florida Supreme Court election, Group 3High Court Runoff Battle Set https://www.newspapers.com/image/798321326/?terms=Hatchett%20DuVal&match=1 8 April 2023 Naples Daily News 9 September 1976 Joseph W. Hatchett 514,164 Nonpartisan 61.4% Harvie S. DuVal 323,154 Nonpartisan 38.6% 837,318 100.00% Footnotes References 2 Category:1976 Florida elections