Patricia Muscarella

Patricia Muscarella
Judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida, Group 18
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 4, 2011
Preceded byGeorge Greer
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 51st district
In office
November 6, 1990 – November 3, 1992
Preceded byJerry Rehm
Succeeded byMary Brennan (redistricting)
Personal details
Born (1952-09-24) September 24, 1952
Clearwater, Florida
PartyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Florida (B.A.)
Stetson University College of Law (J.D.)
OccupationAttorney

Patricia Ann Muscarella (born September 24, 1952) is an American judge from Florida who has served on the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida since 2011. Prior to her judicial service, Muscarella served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 51st district from 1990 to 1992.

Early life

Muscarella was born in Clearwater, Florida, in 1952, and graduated from the University of Florida with her bachelor's degree in 1975.[1] She later attended the Stetson University College of Law, graduating in 1984.[1] Upon graduating, Muscrella practiced law with her father, Frank Muscarella, specializing in real estate law.[2] She served as chair of the Clearwater charter review committee in 1988.[1]

Florida House of Representatives

In 1988, Muscarella ran for the Florida House of Representatives from the 51st district, challenging State Representative Jerry Rehm in the Republican primary.[2] She lost to Rehm by a wide margin, receiving 35 percent of the vote to his 65 percent.[3]

Muscarella challenged Rehm again in 1990,[4] arguing that Rehm was ineffective and had ties to the Church of Scientology.[5] Muscarella defeated Rehm, receiving 62 percent of the vote to his 38 percent.[6] In the general election, Muscarella faced Democratic nominee Marilyn Dewey, a community planner,[5] and won in a landslide, defeating her with 64 percent of the vote.[7]

1992 congressional campaign

In 1992, Muscarella decided to challenge Congressman Michael Bilirakis in the Republican primary in the 9th district, stating that "Republicans have been asking me to run . . . because they do not believe that Mike can win the general election."[8] She alleged that Bilirakis had improperly accepted free trips from special interest groups,[9] and attacked him for seeking a fifth term despite his previous support for four-term limits.[10] Bilirakis ultimately defeated Muscarella by a wide margin, winning renomination 67–33 percent.[11]

Judicial service

In 2010, Muscarella ran for a seat on the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida to succeed Judge George Greer, who was retiring. In the nonpartisan primary, she faced Kathryn Welsh and Edward Liebling.[12] Muscarella narrowly placed first in the primary, winning 40 percent of the vote to Welsh's 36 percent and Liebling's 24 percent,[13] and she proceeded to the general election with Welsh.[12] She emphasized her experience in dispute resolution, noting, "I think I'm fair, and I've been told this by many people who have come before me. They might not have liked the result but they believe they got a fair hearing and that's what you ask for in a judge."[14] Muscarella defeated Welsh by a wide margin, winning the election with 57 percent of the vote.[15]

Muscarella was re-elected without opposition in 2016[16] and 2022.[17] In 2026, she announced that she would retire from the bench.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Phelps, John B., ed. (1991). The Clerk's Manual: 1990-1992. Clerk of the Florida House of Representatives. p. 200–01.
  2. 1 2 Moss, Bill (July 23, 1988). "Last-minute candidates enter races". City Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1, 8. Retrieved July 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "September 6, 1988 Primary Election Republican Primary - State Representative District: 51". Florida Department of State. 1988. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Lawyer announces candidacy for House seat". The Tampa Tribune. November 29, 1989. p. 1-Pinellas. Retrieved July 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 Krueger, Curtis (August 19, 1990). "Clearwater, Dunedin races almost carbon copy of '88". Largo/Seminole Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1, 8. Retrieved July 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "September 4, 1990 Primary Election Republican Primary - State Representative District: 51". Florida Department of State. 1990. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  7. ↑ "November 6, 1990 General Election - State Representative District: 51". Florida Department of State. 1990. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  8. ↑ Krueger, Curtis (May 26, 1992). "Three women are challenging Rep. Bilirakis". Community Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1, 2. Retrieved July 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Bilirakis challenger wants trip inquiry". St. Petersburg Times. June 13, 1992. p. 6B. Retrieved July 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Krueger, Curtis (July 30, 1992). "Candidates duel over term limits". City Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1, 8. Retrieved July 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "September 1, 1992 Primary Election Republican Primary - United States Representative District: 9". Florida Department of State. 1992. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Leskanic, Todd (August 25, 2010). "Circuit court incumbents prevail". The Tampa Tribune. p. 15. Retrieved July 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "August 24, 2010 Primary Election Nonpartisan Primary - Circuit Judge Circuit: 6 Group: 18". Florida Department of State. 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  14. ↑ Leskanic, Todd (October 1, 2010). "2 circuit judge seats available". The Tampa Tribune. p. 4. Retrieved July 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "November 2, 2010 General Election - Circuit Judge Circuit: 6 Group: 18". Florida Department of State. 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  16. ↑ "86 judicial races to appear on fall ballots". Florida Bar News. June 1, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ Killian, Mark D. (May 4, 2022). "Voters to decide 51 circuit and county court races this year; 227 seats on the bench were uncontested after qualifying". Florida Bar News. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Sixth Circuit JNC sets interview schedule to fill two vacancies". Florida Bar News. June 15, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
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