U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, an established incumbent who represents most of Palm Beach County, won the Democratic primary for District 21 Tuesday night.
The 72-year old incumbent defeated 30-year-old Guido Weiss, an officer in the United States Navy Reserves and a former legislative assistant for U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is part of a wave of young, grassroots progressives putting up a challenge against incumbent Democrats.
In these uncertain times, you can rely on WLRN to keep you current on local news and information. Your support is what keeps WLRN strong. Please become a member today. Donate Now. Thank you.
Frankel, who served two terms in the Florida House of Representatives, spent nearly a decade as mayor of West Palm Beach. She won reelection for the House in 2018 unopposed after no challengers came forward. She has touted her record on women's issues, environmental issues, healthcare, medicare and social security.
Weiss, a member of Florida’s Fab Four whose policies are considered left of many ideas championed by the Democratic Party, faced an uphill battle.
He never held positions in local offices — city, county or state — as he made his case against a well-established politician. Weiss ran on a platform that advocated for Medicare for all, eliminating student debt, raising minimum wage, police reform, and criminal justice reform, all seen as popular progressive policies among young voters.
Frankel will face Republican challenger Laura Loomer in the November general election.
Laura Loomer is a far-right political newcomer who is self-described as the “the most banned woman on the Internet.”
She’s running in a deeply Democratic district and has been kicked off a number of social media platforms for anti-Islamic remarks; some of her campaign issues include repealing the Affordable Care Act, promoting school choice, and opposing free college education.
She’s endorsed by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz and former Trump adviser Roger Stone.
