U.S. Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel, who represents a large part of Palm Beach County in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, says she will run this year in District 23, where much of her district was moved on passage of Florida’s new congressional map.
That map, drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis office and presented to lawmakers with 24 hours notice, is predicted to net Republicans additional seats in Congress this November. It’s also scrambled plans for South Florida Democratic U.S. representatives seeking re-election.
CD 23 is now held by fellow Democrat Jared Moskowitz, but he is expected to run for another seat after his district was carved up.
Unlike most of the new map, the new CD 23 is more Democratic-leaning.
“It’s a challenging time for our democracy. Florida’s governor has redrawn Congressional maps to curry favor with Donald Trump, and the U.S. Supreme Court has gutted hard-fought voting and civil rights,” Frankel said in a written statement. “I strongly oppose this new Florida map, which silences voters and undermines their rights, and I support efforts in the courts to challenge it.
READ MORE: Lawyer, activist in Lake Worth to challenge Democratic Congresswoman Lois Frankel in August primary
“I am more committed than ever to stand up to these forces. Should the proposed map hold, I will run in the new District 23, which includes the majority of the voters I currently serve — and whom I have represented steadfastly for years.”
Frankel, who turns 78 later this month, has represented Palm Beach County in Tallahassee and Washington for decades. She served 14 years in the Florida Legislature, including a stint as the first female Democratic minority leader, from 1986-1992 and 1994-2002. She was elected Mayor of West Palm Beach in 2003, serving for eight years before winning election to Congress in 2012.
Oliver Larkin, an activist, union organizer, and “proud Democratic Socialist” has previously announced that he is running for the Democratic nomination in CD 23.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.
