Florida judge who made more than 900 donations to Democrats quits before suspension, keeps pension

A Florida judge who retired rather than face disciplinary action will keep her partially taxpayer-funded pension.

Diana Tennis, a former judge on Florida’s 9th Circuit Court, retired on September 4, 2026, to avoid being suspended and fined for making more than 900 political donations totaling $29,000 since 2016 – all to Democratic candidates and groups. Tennis’ term was originally set to end on Jan. 5, 2027.

The state Judicial Qualifications Commission found that Tennis’ admitted actions violated the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits sitting judges from making political donations, but since she didn’t violate a law, she gets to keep her pension, which is partially funded by taxpayers. The Code of Judicial Conduct is not a criminal code, but establishes standards for ethical conduct of judges, and specifically states that judges may not "solicit funds for, pay an assessment to or make a contribution to a political organization or candidate, or purchase tickets for political party dinners or other functions."

Tennis kept her pension because Florida’s constitution doesn’t include ethics violations as grounds for losing a pension. Florida’s forfeiture statute requires a conviction for a “specified offense,” such as embezzlement or bribery, or admitting to such an offense. The specified offenses are mostly criminal in nature, while violating the Code of Judicial Conduct is not.

However, “impeachable offense” is also a way someone could lose their state pension, but that would require an impeachment by the Florida Senate, which Tennis never faced. She also is likely unable to face impeachment since she has already retired. Currently, there appears to be no movement, legislative or otherwise, to change what is required for a public servant to forfeit their pension.

Net worth nearly $3.8 million, including $850,000 in pension plan

In May 2025, Tennis admitted to the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) – Florida’s judicial watchdog agency – that she had made hundreds of political donations, violating the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct.

The JQC recommended only a public reprimand, but in late June 2026, the Florida Supreme Court rejected that punishment and said that Tennis should be fined for her political contributions. On July 2, the same court vacated its own order and said that Tennis should be fined and suspended, though it did not specify how much or for how long, the Sun-Sentinel reported in July 2026.

The court noted that Tennis "had written hundreds of checks" in violation of the ethical canon.

Tennis filed her final financial disclosure the same week she resigned, stating her net worth at nearly $3.8 million, according to the document reviewed by Just the News. Her net worth includes an $850,000 FRS Investment Plan – her judicial pension.

“Judge Tennis is an outstanding judge who has diligently served the central Florida community with distinction for many years. Her retirement is a loss for the community,” her attorney told WESH 2. Tennis’ attorney, Warren Lindsey, did not respond to a Just the News inquiry prior to press time.

Not the first time Florida judges slapped for donating to Democratic Party entities

The Florida Supreme Court had made a similar recommendation against another judge in July 2025. In that case, Circuit Judge Stefanie Moon also admitted to violating the code of conduct by making political donations, and the JQC recommended she be publicly reprimanded and fined $2,115 – the same amount as the political donations she made, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

Moon also admitted to making an inappropriate campaign remark to a lawyer in open court and improper contact with the therapist for a party in a divorce case she was overseeing. Moon had also made donations to Democrat candidates and organizations, including ActBlue, which also received donations from Tennis. ActBlue is under several investigations for alleged violations of campaign financing law.

The Florida Supreme Court rejected the deal Moon made with the JQC, saying the reprimand and fine were not enough and that she needed to be suspended. The JQC added a 10-day suspension without pay to the deal, and the state Supreme Court accepted the terms in July 2025.

Tennis agreed never to hold judicial office again

In Tennis’ case, the JQC found that she was “far and away the most prolific offender both in terms of total dollars and number of contributions,” court documents reviewed by the Sentinel showed.

Instead of facing punishment, Tennis retired earlier this month, and on September 28, 2026, the JQC dropped its formal misconduct charges against her, after she agreed never to hold judicial office again, according to court documents reviewed by Just the News.

While Tennis’ pension is partially funded by government entities – via taxpayers – the bulk of the money comes from investment earnings, and Tennis herself would have made contributions to the pension during her career.

© Just The News