The jury only recommends (in some states.) The judge can completely ignore their recommendation if he or she wants.
If a jury's recommendation bound the judge, it would make no sense to have it be a recommendation. It would be a final decision.
Keep in mind that the procedure may be completely different in your state. But if the jury makes the decision in your state, it's a decision and not a recommendation.
I have never in my life followed a case where the jury made the actual decision. Can you cite a single one?