Palm Beach County Mayor and District 6 Commissioner Sara Baxter is trading in county hall for a shot at Capitol Hill. On Monday, she told local reporters she is running for Congress in Florida’s newly drawn District 22 and will pull out of her county commission race, leaving the District 6 seat wide open. The move instantly turns what was a western Palm Beach County contest into a federal showdown that could grab attention across South Florida.
In an interview with WPTV, Baxter said, "Washington needs more fighters who are focused on delivering for their district," casting the new congressional seat as a chance to work with President Trump on immigration, election security, tax cuts and rolling back regulations. The station reports she will end her bid for county commission re-election to chase the congressional seat, and that more candidates are expected to jump into the District 22 race. Candidate qualifying is still open, according to WPTV.
Baxter’s Local Roots And Political Profile
Baxter was first elected to the District 6 county seat in 2022 and currently serves as Palm Beach County mayor, according to Palm Beach County. Her district covers large swaths of western Palm Beach County, including Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee Groves, Wellington and nearby communities, where development, traffic and water issues have dominated her agenda. Before winning office, she and her husband ran a small auto-repair shop, a working-world background she often highlights as part of her political outsider image.
Why District 22 Suddenly Matters Statewide
The new District 22 emerged from this year’s mid-decade redistricting fight that reshaped Florida’s congressional map and drew national scrutiny. The Guardian and other outlets report that governor-backed map changes carved out fresh battlegrounds across South Florida, meaning a Boca to West Palm corridor seat could turn into a competitive prize and attract outside spending. How the final lines survive legal and political challenges will help determine whether District 22 tilts Republican or remains firmly on Democrats’ target list.
What Comes Next In Palm Beach Politics
Baxter’s decision instantly creates an open race for the District 6 county commission seat that covers much of western Palm Beach County and is likely to spark a fast-moving scramble among local officials and would-be challengers. As WPTV notes, the qualifying window is still open and additional hopefuls are expected to file in the coming weeks. Local operatives say anyone serious about winning will have to move quickly on fundraising and on the zoning, water and traffic concerns that dominate District 6 conversations.
Expect a busy summer of filings, endorsements and early money-chasing as candidates test the waters in both the county and congressional races. This story will be updated as campaign committees officially form and contenders roll out platforms for the 2026 cycle.
