Justices returned to Supreme Court: six circuit races decided.

The November 2 General Election settled the final six contested circuit court races in Florida and saw the merit retention of both Supreme Court justices and all 22 district court of appeal judges on the ballot.

Supreme Court Justices Raoul Cantero and Kenneth Bell were easily retained in the balloting.

Justice Cantero received a 69.9 percent approval vote, and Justice Bell 72.7 percent, with 99.2 percent of the precincts reporting in unofficial results as of November 4.

"It was kind of bizarre," said Justice Cantero of his debut on a statewide ballot. "I don't consider myself a politician. I've never run for political office. To see myself on the ballot was a new experience and kind of strange. But my family and friends back in Miami were excited to see my name when they went to vote."

Justice Cantero said he didn't lose any sleep over it.

"I checked the Division of Elections Web site every hour, and went to bed at my usual time, when the numbers were 70 percent to 30 percent. I was relieved I still have a job--and so is my staff."

Justice Bell said he found it "very rewarding" when he was told by court staff that he received the highest approval rating for a justice up for retention since 1988.

"It was a good day not only for me but the court as a whole," Justice Bell said. "Because I think the vote was representative of the [public's] general respect for the court itself."

It was the sixth straight merit election where there was no organized opposition to justices appearing on the ballot, following unsuccessful attempts against former Justices Leander J. Shaw, Jr., and Rosemary Barkett mounted in 1990 and 1992, respectively.

Of all of the DCA judges up for merit retention, a trio of women scored the highest in the state, with Fourth DCA Judge Melanie G. May receiving a 77.7 percent approval rating, Third District Court of Appeal Judge Linda Ann Wells receiving 77.3 percent yes votes, and Second District Court of Appeal Judge Patricia J. Kelly garnering 76.4 percent.

The yes vote for the judges in the DCAs were:

* In the First District Court of Appeal, Judge Michael E. Allen--69 percent, Judge Edward T. Barfield--65.7 percent, Judge Paul Hawkes--67.5 percent, Judge Charles J. Kahn, Jr.,--65.6 percent, Judge Phil Padovano--63.6 percent, and Judge James R...