Endorsements

State Attorney (Retired)

Ben,

Please accept the below attached document as my endorsement for your candidacy. Use it as you see fit.
You have worked hard with integrity and the wisdom gained by judicial and life experiences. It has been a pleasure watching you grow, first as a young prosecutor into a top notch trial attorney, then becoming an experienced and no nonsense judge. I have always known you to be fair to all parties. The citizens of Brevard County have been well served with you on the bench these many years. You can count on my vote for your re-election.

Norman R. Wolfinger
State Attorney (Retired)
Brevard and Seminole Counties

Thank you cards and letters of gratitude

Mayor Carol M. McCormack

I am pleased to have the opportunity to endorse Judge Garagozlo for reelection. I have had the privilege of knowing the Judge for many years. Judge G., as I like to call him, is a man of the highest ethics and integrity. I also know him to be a man ofcaring and compassion. He cares about people and the citizens of Brevard County. Judge Garagozlo dedicates most of his free time helping our seniors by volunteering with the Meals on Wheels program. I personally know what a valuable service this is and how much it means to those that get to meet the "judge". He is also someone who encourages our younger generation by offering scholarships to deserving high school students.

Please join me in reelecting Judge Garagozlo.

Respectfully,
Mayor Carol M. McCormack
Town of Palm Shores

State Attorney

Phil Archer
State Attorney
18th Judicial Circuit
Brevard and Seminole Counties
May 8, 2014

Re: Judge Benjamin B. Garagozlo

To Whom It May Concern:

It is with great pleasure that I hereby endorse and support the re-election of Judge Benjamin Garagozlo as Brevard County Court Judge.
I have known Judge Garagozlo for over 25 years. I knew when he was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush that he would do an outstanding job and he has far exceeded those expectations. He is always professional in the courtroom and gives each party a fair opportunity to present their case. He is highly respected among all attorneys and does an amazing job mentoring the new attorneys that have been assigned to his courtroom. His dedication to the judicial system and to the service of justice makes him truly an asset to our community.
Please join me in supporting Judge Benjamin Garagozlo in his re-election to Brevard County Court Judge.

Public Defender (Retired)

I, James Russo, also known as J.R. Russo, hereby endorse Benjamin Garagozlo for Brevard County Court Judge and authorize him to use my name, photograph and office title of (Former) Public Defender 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida and my endorsement of his candidacy in 2014 campaign communications of any kind, oral or written.

I was the elected Public Defender in and for the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida for 32 years and I endorse Judge Benjamin Garagozlo for reelection as our Brevard County Court Judge. I have known Judge Garagozlo for over 25 years, as an Assistant State Attorney, an Assistant Public Defender (intern) and as a County Court Judge. He is experienced, knowledgeable and possesses even judicial temperament. Benjamin Garagozlo should be reelected and continue on as judge for the people of our county.

James Russo

Public Defender (Retired)

Brevard and Seminole Counties

Palm Bay Police Retired Officers Group

To Whom It May Concern,

The Palm Bay Police Department Retirees Group is pleased to support Judge Benjamin B. Garagozlo for re-election as our Brevard County Court Judge. Judge Garagozlo has always been a man of integrity and honor. His ability to balance and meet the needs of law enforcement, attorneys, victims, defendants, witnesses, jurors and citizens is

second to none. His extraordinary ability to ensure the rule of law is administered and protected in his courtroom is refreshing and greatly appreciated.

Many of the retired officers in our group remember Judge Garagozlo in his early days as a prosecutor with the Brevard/Seminole State Attorney's Office. Early on, Ben, as we knew him, took on the worst of the worst; child molesters. His vigorous prosecutions were grounded in fairness, integrity, and passion. It is no surprise to us that he has carried those same qualities into his position as judge.

So, for all of these reasons, we offer our support for Judge Benjamin B. Garagozlo's reelection with the utmost respect and good wishes. His record is clear and impressive. He truly is what our community needs in a judge.

Sincerely,

George Santiago

Representative on behalf of the PBPD Retirees Group

Jason Hedman

Dear Fellow Attorney,

I wanted to write to you and request your support for Judge Benjamin Garagozlo in the upcoming election. This election will be held on August 26, 2014, and is very important.

As past President of the Brevard county Bar Association, a former member of the Inns of Court, and a practicing attorney for over 30 years, I believe that maintaining a qualified jurist is a great public responsibility placed on attorneys. We are uniquely qualified and know the strength and weakness of members of the bench.

Judge Garagozlo served as an Assistant State Attorney and an Assistant General counsel for the U.S Department of Justice and U.S Department of Homeland Security. While in civil practice he was Special Counsel for the Brevard County School Board, an attorney for the local Fraternal Order of Police and a conflicts for the Department of Revenue. He was appointed to the County court bench by Governor Jeb Bush in 2006. He has served admirably and statistics show that he has greatly reduced the backlog of cases and trial dockets. Most of all, he presents the punctilio of honor and the gracious and respectful demeanor to all attorneys and litigants in his courtroom.

Judge Benjamin B. Garagozlo has received the endorsement of our Brevard County Sheriff, the Honorable Wayne Ivey. He has also been endorsed by the former State Attorney, the Honorable Norman Wolfinger and the present State Attorney, the Honorable Phil Archer. He has consistently been ranked as one of the highest County Court judges in each of the judicial polls conducted by the Brevard County Bar Association.

If you wish to take a role in the campaign to re-elect Judge Garagozlo, please contact the campaign at (321) 698-5702 or on Facebook at Reelect Judge Benjamin B. Garagozlo. Please take a few moments to contact you business associates, friends, and family to encourage them to vote and support Judge Garagozlo.

Thank you for considering the foregoing.

Very truly yours,

Jason Hedman

Karl W. Bohne, Jr

To the Citizens of Brevard County,

I strongly endorse Judge Benjamin B. Garagozlo for re-election as County Court Judge for Brevard County. I have had the privilege of knowing the Honorable Benjamin B. Garagozlo for over twenty years. Judge Garagozlo’s esteemed legal career spans nearly 27 years. Judge Garagozlo’s legal career is highlighted by his nearly 6 years as an Assistant State Attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Brevard County. Judge Garagozlo also had a thriving private practice focusing on a wide variety of matters which included representation of the Fraternal Order of Police and Special Counsel to the Brevard County School District.

During his years of legal service to the citizens of Brevard County, Judge Garagozlo displayed the qualities that have helped make him such an honored judge. Respect for the law, for other lawyers, for pro se litigants, and an unmatched wealth of legal knowledge led Judge Garagozlo to an extremely successful practice. When the tragic events of September 11, 2011 transpired, Judge Garagozlo felt the call to help. Being a consummate patriot, he left private practice and handled deportation for the United States’ Department of Justice, and then later the Department of Homeland Security. When his government service was complete, Judge Garagozlo returned to private practice to serve the citizens of Brevard County.

Judge Garagozlo left private practice when he was appointed by Governor Bush in 2006 as County Court Judge in and for Brevard County, where he currently sits. Throughout his nearly eight (8) years on the bench, Judge Garagozlo has presided over both criminal and civil cases. His legal knowledge is unmatched. Judge Garagozlo’s respect for the law and for litigants is displayed in each of his cases as he patiently allows each party to have their day in court.

Judge Garagozlo understands the importance of the rule of, and respect for the law, how it affects our citizens and the dedication required to ensure justice for all. He is eager and highly qualified to continue serving our county as County Court Judge. I encourage everyone to vote for him on August 26, 2014.

Sincerely,

Karl W. Bohne, Jr.

Ronald E. Gray

To Whom it May Concern:

As a decorated combat veteran (recipient of Silver Star, Legion of Merit, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Purple Hearts, 44 Air Medals) and former law enforcement officer, I take this opportunity to endorse Judge Benjamin Garagozlo for re-election. He is without question a man of honor who has ruled with judicial knowledge, common sense and a "dash" of wit. I sincerely appreciate his support of the community, the military, the judicial system, and The Constitution.

Ronald E. Gray
U.S. Army (Retired)

Endorse Judge Garagozlo

Alan Diamond

Dear Fellow Brevardians,

I wanted to write to you and request your support for Judge Benjamin Garagozlo in the upcoming election.

I have known Judge Garagozlo for more than 20 years. I first met him when he was an Assistant State Attorney - prosecuting the most difficult and egregious cases in Brevard including homicides and child sex crimes. He was an intelligent, committed and effective prosecutor – but he was above all a fair and kind human being. Throughout my career as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney and former President of the Brevard County Bar Association I have had the honor to appear in front of Judge Garagozlo as well as interact with him on a personal level.

He is one of the most fair, even tempered, respected and pleasant persons to be with out of court and practice law in front of. He always has a pleasant word for everyone, attorney, staff and defendant alike. Regardless of the outcome everyone leaves Judge Garagozlo’s courtroom knowing that they were heard, that the Court considered their position and that the ruling was a fair and equitable one.

His professionalism, work ethic and unswerving dedication to serve those who appear in his courtroom are character traits all judges should aspire to have. Judge Benjamin Garagozlo is the perfect judge for Brevard County, and we as citizens should be thankful he has served us. For these reasons I wholeheartedly endorse Judge Garagozlo and implore everyone to vote August 26th to make sure we keep him on the bench. To do otherwise would be a travesty of justice.

Sincerely,

Alan Diamond, Esq.

Alan Diamond

Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer

Former Prosecutor and

Former Brevard County Bar President

Fraternal Order of Police

Dear Judge Garagozlo,

After Careful consideration by our Executive Board and our members, it is my pleasure to inform you that Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) Lodge #37 has proudly decided to endorse your candidacy for Brevard County court Judge-Group 8. This Endorsement has come at the request and recommendation of our members. This is an indication that you are well respected and have the support of our membership.

On behalf of the thousands of dedicated law enforcement officers in the Central Florida are, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on this valuable endorsement.

The members of the F.O.P. wish to acknowledge your dedication to public service in our community, and the State of Florida, as you seek to continue to serve the citizens of Brevard County. We wish you success in your election bid and pledge our support as we move forward during these very trying times.

Again, on behalf of the members of the F.O.P. we congratulate you and look forward to our continued relationship.

Sincerely,

Bert Gamin

President - FOP Lodge #37

Fraternal Order of Police

Sheriff of Brevard County

To whom it may concern:

I write this letter in support of Judge Benjamin B. Garagozlo's re-election as our County Court Judge. Ben is highly regarded and respected by the legal community. Moreover, he has an excellent rapport with law enforcement officers in Brevard County given his prior experience as an Assistant State Attorney. His successful experience prosecuting serious crimes including sexual crimes against children has garnered him support from many law enforcement officers.
As a Brevard County Judge, he has always made himself available — regardless of the hour — to assist law enforcement with the review and signing of warrants. His work ethic and dedication to uphold the rule of law is what is expected of a Judge. Judge Garagozlo is of such caliber. For these reasons, I endorse Judge Benjamin B. Garagozlo as our Brevard County Judge.

Sincerely,

Wayne Ivey
Sheriff of Brevard County

The Committee to Re-Elect Judge Benjamin Garagozlo invites you to submit an endorsement of the Judge. The form is available below.