A Win for Florida’s Courts
Governor Ron DeSantis just dropped a game-changer for Florida’s judiciary, appointing Andrew Bain as a judge on the Orange County Court. Announced on April 9, 2025, this move isn’t just another bureaucratic shuffle, it’s a loud statement about where Florida’s heading. Bain, a seasoned pro who’s led government and business engagement at Byrd Campbell, P.A., and served as State Attorney in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, brings real-world grit to the bench. This isn’t some ivory-tower academic or diversity checkbox; it’s a pick rooted in merit, experience, and a track record of getting things done.
Florida’s courts have been crying out for relief, bogged down by caseloads that leave justice delayed and citizens frustrated. DeSantis isn’t playing around, he’s building a system that works. With Bain stepping in to fill a vacancy created by HB 5401, we’re seeing a governor who’s serious about cutting through the red tape and delivering results. It’s a refreshing jolt of practicality in an era where too many leaders get lost in symbolic gestures.
HB 5401: Fixing a Broken System
Let’s talk about HB 5401, the legislation that made this appointment possible. Passed in 2024, it pumped $13.6 million in recurring funds and another $241,200 in one-time cash into creating 17 new circuit court judgeships and 12 county court slots. This wasn’t a whim, it came straight from the Florida Supreme Court’s own workload assessments, a clear-eyed look at what’s needed to keep justice moving. Orange County, a bustling hub, gets a boost with Bain’s appointment, and that’s no small thing when dockets are overflowing.
Sure, some local governments are grumbling about the extra costs for facilities and staff. Tough luck. Efficiency isn’t free, and Floridians deserve courts that don’t leave them hanging for months. Back in 2019, DeSantis inherited a judiciary creaking under pressure; now, with 168 appointments under his belt by 2025, he’s reshaping it into something leaner, stronger. Compare that to the hand-wringing of past governors who let vacancies pile up, and it’s night and day.
Merit Over Mandates
Bain’s resume, a bachelor’s from the University of Miami and a juris doctor from Florida A&M, paired with his time as a top prosecutor, screams competence. DeSantis has a knack for spotting talent like this, from Bain to Laura Laurie in the Fifteenth Circuit, both ex-state attorneys who know the system inside out. These aren’t appointments swayed by the latest diversity fad; they’re grounded in the belief that judges should be picked for their ability to uphold the law, not to fill a quota.
Contrast that with the noise from advocates pushing for more inclusivity programs. The Florida Supreme Court wisely redirected the Bar’s diversity funds into broader outreach, a move that’s got some folks up in arms. But why sink money into initiatives that often amount to feel-good optics when women are already dominating law firm associate roles and federal legal jobs? The real gap isn’t gender, it’s results, and DeSantis is laser-focused on plugging it with appointees who can handle the heat.
A Judiciary Built to Last
DeSantis isn’t just filling seats; he’s crafting a legacy. Five of the seven Florida Supreme Court justices are his picks, a seismic shift since he took office in 2019. Add in his influence over Judicial Nominating Commissions, and you’ve got a governor who’s not afraid to steer the ship. Historical efforts under governors like Lawton Chiles and Jeb Bush made strides in diversity, sure, but the decline in minority representation on JNCs by 2014 showed how fragile that progress was. DeSantis bets on substance over symbolism, and Bain’s appointment fits that mold perfectly.
Opponents might argue this approach sidelines representation for the sake of efficiency. They’re missing the point. A judiciary that can’t keep up with caseloads doesn’t serve anyone, minority or not. State Attorneys like Bain, who’ve spent years prosecuting real cases and working with law enforcement, bring a perspective that cuts through the clutter. Florida’s legal system isn’t a social experiment; it’s a machine that needs to run, and DeSantis is tuning it up.
The Road Ahead
Andrew Bain’s appointment is more than a headline, it’s a signal of intent. Florida’s judiciary is on track to become a model of efficiency and accountability, shedding the baggage of bloated dockets and endless delays. With HB 5401 rolling out new judgeships and DeSantis stacking the bench with heavy hitters, the state’s courts are gearing up to deliver justice at a pace that matches its growth.
This isn’t about pleasing every critic or chasing trendy ideals. It’s about building something that works for Floridians, from Orlando to the Panhandle. Bain’s not here to warm a seat; he’s here to clear the backlog and uphold the law. DeSantis gets that, and his track record proves it. Florida’s future looks brighter, and its courts are leading the charge.