Today is July 24, 2026, and Hendry County is gearing up for an important decision in the upcoming primary election. Voters will have the chance to choose a county judge candidate, and it’s shaping up to be quite the race! The primary is set for August 18, with early voting starting on August 3. Among the candidates is Jill Cabai, an attorney from LaBelle, whose background and qualifications have sparked quite a bit of discussion.
Jill Cabai isn’t new to the courtroom scene. With nearly two decades of experience, she’s worked as an Assistant State Attorney for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit and later transitioned into private practice. In 2016, she opened the Cabai Law Office, P.A., specializing in criminal defense and family law. Interestingly, her departure from the State Attorney’s Office in 2016 raised eyebrows. Reports suggest she nearly faced termination due to mishandling evidence in a criminal case, with critical evidence allegedly found in her desk instead of being properly submitted. After this incident, she opted to resign rather than face termination, leaving many to wonder about her suitability for the judicial role she now seeks. This aspect of her past was notably absent during her interview with the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) for the same judicial seat. You can read more about this situation in detail here.
Jill Cabai’s Campaign and Community Engagement
Cabai’s campaign is built on her experience, fairness, and commitment to the community. She emphasizes understanding the values and challenges that the local community faces, which she believes is crucial for a county judge. Beyond her legal career, she has served as a Special Victims Prosecutor for over eight years, tackling serious criminal cases. This experience could lend her a unique perspective on the bench.
Her community involvement doesn’t stop there. Since 2019, she’s been a Director on the Board of the Greater LaBelle Chamber of Commerce and serves as the Vice President of the Hendry/Glades County Bar Association. Jill is also a member of the LaBelle Rotary Club and has dedicated time volunteering with the Caloosa Humane Society and local arts organizations. Clearly, she’s invested in building a stronger community, and that’s something her campaign continues to highlight. You can learn more about her community engagement and campaign focus here.
The Competition
Cabi is not the only name on the ballot. She’s one of three candidates vying for the Hendry County judge position. The other candidates include Judge Robert Ostrov, who was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in April 2025, and Antoinette Peck. Interestingly, of the six candidates who applied for the position, four were deemed qualified, but both Cabai and Peck were not included. This exclusion raises even more questions about what voters should consider when casting their ballots this August.
With the election just around the corner, it’s clear that this race is about more than just qualifications; it’s about trust, community involvement, and the integrity of the judicial system. Voters will need to weigh Cabai’s extensive experience against the backdrop of her past and the other candidates’ offerings. With early voting starting soon, the conversation in Hendry County is bound to heat up.