West Palm Mayor Takes on Freshman Congressman
Frankel to run for Congress against West -- in 2012
Getty Images/WPB.org
Allen West and Lois Frankel
One of South Florida’s newest politicians already has an opponent for the election in November of 2012.
West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel has announced she is running for Congress in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, currently held by Republican Tea Party favorite Allen West.
“Congress isn’t working for working families,” Frankel said in a written statement released Monday. "There’s too much partisanship and not enough results. We need a member of congress who knows how to get things done."
It’s a bit early for people to be declaring their candidacy for an election that’s about 20-months away. But a Frankel spokesman said the campaign wanted to get a jump-start on the process.
Congressman West campaigned hard to win his seat in last November’s election, beating back attacks from his Democratic opponent, incumbent Ron Klein.
"We are at a critical time in our country’s history," West said in a statement. "There is a time and place for politics. I am focused on representing the constituents and building a brighter future for our children."
Frankel spent the last eight years as West Palm Beach’s Mayor. Before that she served 14 years in the state legislature.
