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Palm Beach County welcomes new commissioners, elects new mayor

Commissioner
Screenshot/WLRN
Commissioner Maria Marino, a Republican, was sworn in and took the oath for a second four year term on Tuesday, Nov.19, 2024. She faced no challengers during the general election. She was nominated and elected Mayor.

Palm Beach County officially has a new mayor and two new commissioners. The newly minted officials were sworn in Tuesday during the commission’s first meeting since the Nov. 5 general election.

Commissioners formally nominated Maria Marino, a Republican, and voted unanimously in favor of the appointment.

Marino, who succeeds Commissioner Maria Sachs as mayor, was sworn in and took the oath for a second four-year term. She faced no challengers in the general election. Sachs — a Democrat — had won reelection and was also sworn in as a commissioner.

The role of the county mayor largely acts as a commissioner of the board and presides over its meetings.

Commissioner Sara Baxter, a Republican, was appointed vice mayor, assuming responsibilities in the mayor's absence.

Some history was made, too.

Former Greenacres Mayor Joel Flores, a Democrat, was the first Hispanic person elected to the commission to represent the third district. And Bobby Powell Jr., a Democrat, replaced Senator-elect Mack Bernard to represent District 7.

The County Commission is now under Democratic control again. The election results shifted the commission from a 4-3 Republican to a 4-3 Democrat majority.

READ MORE: Democratic state Senator-elect Mack Bernard's priorities: Affordable housing, economic development

This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.

Wilkine Brutus is the Palm Beach County Reporter for WLRN. The award-winning journalist produces stories on topics surrounding local news, culture, art, politics and current affairs. Contact Wilkine at wbrutus@wlrnnews.org
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