The Florida Supreme Court has rejected a negotiated disciplinary agreement for an Orange County circuit judge who admitted to wrongly making more than 900 political contributions while serving on the bench.
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The court wants the judge to pay a fine, which is a harsher punishment than the state’s judicial watchdog agency had recommended.
The court issued its order last week, saying it disapproved of an agreement between Circuit Judge Diana Tennis and the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission that would’ve resulted in a public reprimand with no financial penalty.
Tennis admitted in a hearing in May 2025 to making hundreds of donations to political candidates and organizations since 2016. The Florida Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits sitting judges from making any such contributions.
Her contributions — totaling approximately $29,000 — were made to candidates such as former President Joe Biden and former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Democratic political action committees, including Emily’s List and ACTBLUE. Tennis identified herself as a judge in connection with these contributions.
The rule prohibiting such contributions exists because Florida elects its judges on nonpartisan ballots, and a judge who writes checks to political campaigns has, at minimum, the appearance of a partisan stake in who holds power, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
During the May hearing, Tennis said she thought the prohibition only applied to state candidates and races, and that federal candidates or races weren’t covered.
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The Judicial Qualifications Commission in its September recommendation said Tennis was “far and away the most prolific offender both in terms of total dollars and number of contributions. Thus, the commission believes her misconduct is deserving of a public reprimand,” according to court documents.
Hugh Brown, commission’s counsel for the case, declined via email to detail its reasoning for recommending a public reprimand with no financial penalty, saying he could not comment on an open case.
The supreme court said in its order that in addition to the public reprimand, it would impose a fine on Tennis, though it did not specify an amount.
Tennis has remained on the bench in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which covers Orange and Osceola counties, since the investigation began, currently assigned as an administrative judge to domestic relations and family court. Tennis has not been previously disciplined as a lawyer since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 1992.
The parties have 30 days, or until July 25, to submit a revised agreement reflecting the additional sanction. If no agreement is reached, the case returns to commission for a full evidentiary hearing.
Tennis’ attorney, Warren Lindsey, declined via email to say whether the judge intends to accept the court’s terms.
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