Candidate: Lorelie P. Brannan

Nearing two years of service on the county bench in Baker County and with over seventeen years in public service, Judge Lorelie P. Brannan has filed to run to remain Baker County Judge. Judge Brannan was appointed by the Governor to the Eighth Circuit bench on May 9, 2022 following a rigorous application and interview process locally and in Tallahassee. Prior to her commission as county judge, she was the State Attorney’s longtime local prosecutor in Baker County. Judge Brannan began her service as the solo county judge for Baker County on May 21, 2022.

“It is an honor to serve as county judge, and my pledge to fulfill the duties of this office with integrity, impartiality, and fairness remains unchanged,” said Judge Brannan. Judge Brannan is committed to the Constitution, the rule of law, and fair treatment for all who interact with the court system. Judge Brannan is the first female county court judge in Baker County history and has presided over hundreds of county court cases. She also presides over circuit court matters by special assignment. She has enriched her judicial knowledge by attending Judicial College – Phase I and II, Traffic and DUI Adjudication Lab, and annual conferences on the varied subject matter that comes before her.

Judge Brannan is a member of the Conference of County Court Judges (CCCJ) and serves on several committees. She is a member of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association (EJCBA) and of EJCBA’s Law Week and Nominating Committees. She also maintains membership in the Federalist Society, the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society, Catholic Lawyer’s Guild and the Baker County Rotary and serves as Chair of the Baker County Election Canvassing Board.

Judge Brannan is a longtime volunteer for Baker County Teen Court. She presides over cases, mentoring teen ‘attorneys’ and encouraging participants for the roles of teen attorney and juror.  Judge Brannan has also volunteered her time with law students at UF and Florida Coastal School of Law as a mock trial and moot court judge. She coached a successful teen mock trial team with the students winning an overall first place finish and first place in the prosecution category.

Judge Brannan is genuinely committed to serving our community inside and outside of the courtroom. She continues to take an exceptional interest in assisting colleagues and mentoring lawyers, interns, and high school students. Judge Brannan promotes the role of the courts through her “Be the Judge” booth at local events and courthouse displays during “Law Week” and “Constitution Week”. She enjoys speaking with students, especially on courthouse tours, and began her “Read with the Judge” program in 2022 bringing her robe and gavel around the school district.

Judge Brannan’s early ambition was to become a prosecutor and her education reflects that goal.

Stanton College Preparatory School (2000) - Honors and International Baccalaureate diplomas 

University of Florida (2003) - Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Criminology and History

Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans (2007) - Juris Doctor. 

• “Student Bar Association President’s Award” for service to fellow students 
• “Clem H. Sert Award for Outstanding Senior” in Moot Court
• Amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) presenting oral argument before the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
• Book award for Constitutional Law (highest class grade)
• Student Ambassador
• Asian Pacific American Law Student Association - President 
• Volunteer and intern for three semesters at the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office; tried criminal cases before judge and jury during rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina

Judge Brannan was a career prosecutor and the local felony prosecutor in Baker County prior to taking the bench and represented the interests of the State of Florida and victims of crime. She participated in the UF Levin College of Law Prosecutor / Public Defender Trial Training program and trial advocacy training at the National Advocacy Center operated by the U.S. Department of Justice. She also attended trainings on DUI, domestic violence, and special victim crimes. Judge Brannan was dedicated to the rule of law and her ethical obligations, both to victims and to defendants.

Judge Brannan lives in Macclenny with her husband Chuck, a lifelong resident and community builder, and has two children. She is a pianist for the choirs at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Chair of the Pre-K / Kindergarten Center Student Advisory Council, and a longtime mentor for Take Stock in Children at BCHS. She was instrumental in the launching of “Heroes Forever” which displays flags for veterans bi-annually in Baker County. Raised in a patriotic and God-fearing home, Judge Brannan said, “I am committed to service, our community and guidance along the right path. I look forward to continuing to visit with you in your homes, your businesses and around the community as I seek your vote to remain county judge. Draw near, and you shall be heard.”