Butz was appointed to the Polk County Court by Gov. Rick Scott on Friday afternoon. Butz, 48, said she learned she was selected to replace Judge J. Kevin Abdoney about lunchtime on Friday.

BARTOW | After two days on the bench, new Polk County Judge Kelly Paige Butz has already been promoted. Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday appointed Butz, 48, of Winter Haven, to serve as a Circuit Court ...

A Polk County judge has ruled that three Iowa Libertarian congressional candidates cannot appear on ballots this fall, upholding the decision of a state panel that removed them last week.