Republicans who control state government have complained for years that the Florida Supreme Court is too liberal because it has ruled against them on high profile issues like abortion, private school vouchers and public records.
On Monday, the Florida Supreme Court ruled on the power of appointments.
Three of the justices on the state's highest court are leaving in January because they've reached the age limit and their resignations take effect on the day the new governor is sworn in.
Governor Rick Scott had insisted he should be the one to make the appointments, but the high court has issued what's known as a "writ of quo warranto" forbidding him from taking action.
They say the new justices should be picked by the new governor... not the old one.
This may turn out to be one of the most significant legal defeats of Scott's political career.