NCJW opposes Judge Ed Artau. Here’s why:
Judge Ed Artau’s record raises serious ethical and judicial concerns that make him unfit for a lifetime seat on the federal bench. From past ethics violations involving improper political advocacy to his refusal to recuse himself in a politically charged case involving former President Trump — despite clear conflicts of interest — Judge Artau has shown a disregard for impartiality and judicial integrity. His rulings have also reflected extreme positions, including limiting access to gender-affirming care for youth and striking down basic public safety measures.
Judge Ed Artau’s stance on important issues:
Ethics: In 1995, Judge Artau was investigated for ethics violations after allegedly advocating for a judicial nominee whose husband had helped secure his appointment to a judicial nominating commission. The governor’s office found he had acted improperly. Once again his ethics were called into question when after the 2024 election, Judge Artau reached out to Florida Sen. Rick Scott for a nomination to the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida. In February 2025, he refused to recuse himself in a defamation case between Trump and Pulitzer Prize Board members despite the clear conflict of interest and eventually ruled in favor of Trump. He cited in his opinion Trump’s claim that it was “fake news,” a “phony witch hunt,” and “a big hoax.” Judge Artau was interviewed by the White House Counsel for a potential judicial nomination promptly thereafter.
Gun Violence Prevention:
In Broward County v. Florida Carry Inc., Judge Artau sided with a ruling that permitted individuals to carry firearms in airport areas that do not “include passage through security checkpoints.” He argued that the regulation infringed on an individual’s second amendment rights.
LGBTQ+ Rights:
In H. S. v. Department of Children and Families, Judge Artau sided with a parent opposing their child’s access to gender-affirming care, criticizing a trial court judge for using the transgender child’s preferred pronouns.
Education and Career Highlights:
Currently, Ed Artau is a judge on the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeals. After graduating from Georgetown Law School, Judge Artau began his career as an associate at Hodgson Russ LLP and later as a senior associate at Proskauer Rose LLP. He then became a partner at Marks & Artau, P.A. before serving as General Counsel for the South Florida Water Management District. He was appointed a trial court judge in Florida’s Fifteenth Judicial Circuit (2014–2020), and began teaching as an adjunct professor at St. Thomas University College of Law in 2024.