ORLANDO, Fla. — Four Democrats and one independent are among the candidates running for Orange-Osceola state attorney.
The candidates include Democrats Deborah Barra, Belvin Perry, Ryan Williams and Monique Worrell.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Jose Torroella, an independent, in the November general election.
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Here’s what you should know about each candidate:
Deborah Barra
Barra has been a prosecutor in Orange and Osceola counties for over 16 years. She is currently the chief assistant state attorney in Aramis Ayala’s administration.
According to her website, she has completed more than 100 trials over the course of her career.
She “convicted 43 child molesters/rapists including three serial rapists. She was also able to obtain Florida’s first life sentence for a defendant charged with human trafficking.”
Barra sat down with Channel 9 anchor Greg Warmoth on “Central Florida Spotlight.”
Watch the episode below:
Belvin Perry
Perry is a former chief judge in the Ninth Circuit, and served nine terms. According to his website, he “became the first African American to be elected to the circuit bench of the Ninth Circuit without first being appointed.”
Perry, who served as a WFTV legal analyst, gained national attention when he oversaw the Casey Anthony trial. He discussed the case in detail with Channel 9 anchor Greg Warmoth in 2018 on “Central Florida Spotlight.” Click here to watch the episode.
Ryan Williams
Williams is an assistant state attorney in the 5th Judicial Circuit.
According to his website, Williams “set a single-year record for felony trials when he tried 31 felony cases before juries in Orange County in a single year and in doing so, earned the office’s “Champion of Justice” award for his dedication and success in the courtroom.”
Perry and Williams sat down with Channel 9 anchor Greg Warmoth on “Central Florida Spotlight.”
Watch the episode below:
Monique Worrell
Worrell is a former prosecutor and chief legal officer for the REFORM Alliance. She became “the founding director of the Conviction Integrity Unit in the State Attorney’s Office in Orange County, where she led the investigation of claims for wrongful conviction.”
According to her website, she “believes that the criminal legal system is fundamentally flawed and needs reform-minded individuals in order to achieve equity and a plan to move our system towards justice.”
Jose Torroella
Torroella is the lone independent running for state attorney.
He said his promise is to “fight to keep our communities safe” and “criminals will know there will be consequences for their criminal activity.”
The Democratic primary is Aug. 18.
Cox Media Group
