While John Guard was not selected to fill the latest opening on the Florida Supreme Court, he likely will end up in the judiciary nonetheless.
The former acting Attorney General and current Senior Counselor to Attorney General James Uthmeier has been picked for the 2nd District Court of Appeal, pending Senate confirmation.
His future was clouded by his role in money moving from a Medicaid settlement to the Hope Florida Foundation back in 2024, money that didn’t go to charitable aims, but instead was routed ultimately to political advertising during that year’s political cycle.
Guard was among those subpoenaed over his role in the Hope Florida scandal. He signed the controversial settlement with Medicaid insurer Centene, but not before privately raising concerns, according to the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times, which obtained emails documenting the conversations.
The emails show Guard removed references to his office in drafts of the settlement in a series of back-and-forth conversations over the course of 22 days.
Guard’s nomination last year for a U.S. District Court judgeship by President Donald Trump was ultimately stalled, with an administration source claiming it wanted to avoid a “nasty confirmation fight.” His nomination was not renewed this year.
During his interview with the Supreme Court’s Judicial Nominating Commission, Guard said the appellate court position was not his first choice.
“I think the best legal job is probably to serve on the Florida Supreme Court. And I say that because you’re the head of the judicial branch. You’re kind of responsible for helping with the legitimacy of our core system and maintaining the rule of law,” Guard said.
“If I were to rank them … I would say Supreme Court Justice, (U.S.) District Court Judge, and District Court of Appeals Judge. But I think between the District Court and the District Court of Appeals, there’s not that much difference,” he added.
