Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Anne Gibson of Winter Haven to fill an opening as a judge on the Polk County Court.
Gibson, 52, has served as director of legal affairs for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. She previously served as a senior assistant county attorney for Polk County.
Gibson holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and a law degree from Stetson University.
The appointment fills a vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Brandon Rafool in June to Circuit Court for the 10 th Judicial Circuit. Rafool replaced Larry Helms, who faced mandatory retirement in April.
Gibson will be sworn in on Nov. 6 and has been assigned to small claims cases, said Nick Sudzina, court administrator for the 10 th Judicial Circuit. Her formal investiture ceremony will take place in January.