As we approach the 100-day mark of President Trump’s administration, small businesses are beginning to notice the positive effects of his focus on reducing excessive regulations and bureaucracy, a priority echoed by PublicSquare CEO Michael Seifert.
However, in a separate political development, Broward County Judge Stefanie Moon is facing disciplinary action from the state Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) after making political donations, which are prohibited for sitting judges. These donations, totaling $2,115, went to prominent Democratic figures such as Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, along with the ActBlue fundraising platform, according to NBC Miami.
The donations are considered unlawful under Florida’s judicial conduct guidelines, prompting the JQC to propose a public reprimand and a fine equal to the amount she contributed. The commission believes this penalty will discourage similar behavior in the future and remind judicial candidates of the importance of adhering to election laws that maintain the integrity of the judicial system.
This case comes amid another set of allegations that Judge Moon engaged in unprofessional conduct earlier this year. In January, the JQC recommended a reprimand for two separate instances: one where she reminded an attorney in court about his failure to return her call regarding her re-election campaign, and another where she reached out directly to a therapist involved in a case before her.
The Florida Supreme Court will ultimately determine the appropriate disciplinary actions, following the JQC’s recommendations.
In addition to her recent troubles, Judge Moon was recognized in 2024 by the Florida Bar press for her nomination to the Board of Trustees for the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society.
Currently, Moon is under scrutiny for potentially violating Florida’s strict regulations that prevent judges from engaging in political campaign activities while on the bench. This week, the JQC recommended a public reprimand to the Florida Supreme Court, and Moon has agreed to this punishment, though the final decision will be made by the court.
The JQC’s concerns stem from Moon’s questioning of an attorney during a court session about his lack of response to her after-hours campaign-related phone call. The commission noted that such an exchange could be seen as coercive, given the power dynamics between a judge and an attorney in a courtroom setting. The attorney involved, Michael Jones, who was supporting Moon’s opponent, described the situation as “extremely uncomfortable.”
Judges running for re-election must follow strict guidelines regarding when and how they can campaign, with courthouse facilities typically off-limits for such activities. While judges cannot directly solicit campaign contributions, they are permitted to form a committee of supporters to manage fundraising efforts, in accordance with Florida’s judicial conduct rules.
