President Donald Trump announced on August 18 the nomination of Robert (Bobby) Long to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Long currently serves as a judge on Florida’s First District Court of Appeal.

Long has a distinguished career in law and public service. He is a longtime member of the Navy JAG Corps and previously served as a Trial Judge on Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit Court. Before that, he was General Counsel of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, where he also worked as a police officer prior to becoming a lawyer. Long earned his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law and his undergraduate degree from Florida State University.

In his announcement, Trump stated: "Robert Long can always be counted on to protect the Public Safety and Constitutional Rights of Floridians. Congratulations Bobby!"

If confirmed by the Senate, Long would fill a vacancy on the federal bench in the Middle District of Florida, which covers the central part of the state including the Tampa and Orlando areas.