Five candidates are in the running to become Broward's next circuit judge, after the Judicial Nominating Commission submitted their names to Gov. Rick Scott for consideration.

The JNC nominated Nikolaus Hunter Davis, Phoebee Rebecca Francois, Tarlika Nunez Navarro, Julio E. Gonzalez Jr. and Claudette Renee Vanni to replace retired Broward Circuit Judge Alfred Horowitz.

Horowitz left office in December after 22 years on the bench, first in the county court from 1995, then the circuit from 2000. He retired three years before his current term was set to expire.