State Sen. Bobby Powell, a West Palm Beach Democrat, is trading a shot at the Palm Beach County Commission for his Florida Senate seat, according to his resignation letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis. With his resignation effective November 4, Powell is eyeing a campaign for District 7 of the County Commission, WPTV reported.
Powell, having served nearly eight years in the Senate, is preparing to prevent any gaps in representation by prematurely stepping down to allow the Governor to swiftly set a special election date. "Serving as senator has been a tremendous honor and a significant part of my life for nearly eight years," Powell said, in a statement obtained by Florida Politics. "It is my intent to prevent any gaps in coverage or representation in this district, while pursuing the County Commission and filing my resignation now allows the governor time to set a special election to coincide with the upcoming primary and general elections."
The governor's acceptance of Powell's resignation is anticipated to be followed by collaboration with the secretary of state to decide on the special election timing. According to Powell's news release, past patterns suggest the special election could align with the state's August primary and November general election.
Powell's Senate term was set to run until 2026, but his current focus is on his home turf, where he has opened a campaign account with over $170,000 raised for his county commission run. "I believe that a life of service is a life that counts, and I am committed to continue serving the constituents of District 24 through Nov. 4 while tirelessly advocating for policies that enhance the quality of life for residents in Palm Beach County," Powell elaborated.
The District 7 seat, currently held by term-limited Mack Bernard, covers central Palm Beach County. Bernard, also from West Palm Beach, plans to run for Powell's current Senate seat in the event of a special election. Powell secured his third Senate term in November 2022 with 55.7% of the vote, facing Republican challenger Eric Anker.
Competition for the District 7 County Commission seat includes lawyer Richard Ryles, who boasts fundraising totals just shy of Powell's, with more than $165,000. Republican Leonard Serratore also joins the fray, albeit with a more modest campaign fund. The decision on the special election date for Powell's replacement now rests in the hands of Gov. DeSantis and the secretary of state.
