Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady to Retire, Opening Door for DeSantis Appointment
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady, the longest-serving member of the state’s highest court, announced his retirement effective January 31, 2025. The move allows Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint a sixth justice to the seven-member court, further solidifying the governor’s influence on the judiciary.
Canady, 71, was appointed to the court in 2008 by then-Gov.Charlie Crist. He would have been required to retire at age 75 under state law.
The lakeland native’s departure also coincides with the anticipated rise of his wife, state Rep. Jennifer Canady, to Florida House Speaker after the 2028 elections. Should the GOP maintain its majority, she is poised to become the first woman to hold the position.
With Canady’s retirement, Justice jorge Labarga will remain the sole justice on the court not appointed by DeSantis. The last reported salary for state Supreme Court justices was $258,957; Canady’s compensation from the University of Florida, where he is a distinguished professor, was not instantly available.
Background on Justice Canady
canady earned his undergraduate degree from Haverford College in 1976 and his law degree from Yale Law School in 1979. he practiced law privately, including a period with Holland & knight, throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
He entered public service with three terms in the Florida House of Representatives from 1984 to 1990, followed by service in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2001. During his time in congress, he served on the House Judiciary Committee and chaired the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution from 1995 to 2001.
Following his congressional career, Canady served as general counsel to Gov. Jeb Bush. He was appointed to Florida’s 2nd District Court of Appeal in 2002 before joining the Supreme Court.
Canady served three terms as chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court: 2010, 2018, and 2020.
The Canadys have two daughters.
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This story contains some previously published information. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida Capital Bureau. Reach him at jrosica@tallahassee.com and follow him on Twitter/X: @JimRosicaFL.
