TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis named four new judges to Florida circuit and county courts, filling vacancies across the state with appointees drawn almost entirely from the prosecutorial ranks.

Three of the four — Brian Toti of The Villages, Shelby Senn of Wildwood and Alicia Carothers of Panama City — built their careers as prosecutors or county attorneys before earning the bench. The fourth, Cary A. “Bo” Hardee III of Madison, has run his own private practice, Hardee Law Firm, since 2011.

Hardee will serve as judge on the Third Judicial Circuit Court, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Johnson. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his juris doctor from Stetson University. Before opening his own firm, Hardee worked as a partner at Caminez and Hardee, P.A.

Toti, who has served as an assistant state attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit since 2023, was appointed to that same circuit’s bench. He previously served as an assistant state attorney in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Toti earned his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and his juris doctor from Barry University. His vacancy was created by the enactment of Senate Bill 2508.

Senn, also appointed under a vacancy created by Senate Bill 2508, will serve as judge on the Sumter County Court. She has served as an assistant state attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit since 2017 and previously worked as a certified legal intern in the Fifth Circuit State Attorney’s Office. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a juris doctor from Barry University.

Carothers will serve as judge on the Bay County Court, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Judge Vann. She has served as a deputy county attorney for Bay County since 2024 and previously worked as an assistant state attorney in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. Carothers earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and her juris doctor from Faulkner University.

All four appointments require confirmation by the Florida Senate, which is expected to take up judicial nominations during its next session.