Broward County Judge Mardi Levey Cohen, suspended and reprimanded in June for improper campaign activity during her 2022 re-election bid, has announced she will resign effective Dec. 31, ending a 15-year judicial career in the middle of her third term.
Her resignation letter, sent last month to Gov. Ron DeSantis and Broward Chief Administrative Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips, expressed gratitude for her time on the bench.
“It has been an honor to serve the people of Florida and to uphold the laws and principles of justice,” Levey Cohen wrote. “Throughout my career as a judge, I have been continually inspired by the professionalism and leadership of my colleagues … This decision, while bittersweet, comes with a heart full of gratitude for the opportunities and trust that have been placed in me over the years.”
Levey Cohen was first elected to the bench in 2010 and won re-election in 2016 and 2022. Her 2022 campaign, however, became the focus of controversy. She was accused of forwarding unverified information from an email claiming to be from a relative of her opponent, lawyer Kaysia Earley, and admitted to sending a letter to a Lauderhill church supporting Earley. The letter challenged the church’s tax-exempt status—a complaint Levey Cohen had filed with the IRS—raising questions about campaign conduct.
While judicial candidates are permitted to campaign, they face strict rules designed to protect the dignity and impartiality of the office, including prohibitions against partisan activity. Levey Cohen reportedly sent the Earley-related information to the Broward Democratic Club, which contributed to her suspension and formal reprimand.
Before her tenure on the bench, Levey Cohen served as an assistant state attorney and assistant attorney general. She is married to former Broward Chief Administrative Judge Dale Cohen.
The news of her resignation was first reported by the courthouse-focused site JAABlog.
Levey Cohen’s departure marks a sudden end to a judicial career marked by both professional accomplishments and recent controversy, leaving the Broward County bench to adjust mid-term.
