Lois Frankel Bio
Lois Jane Frankel, born on May 16, 1948, is an American politician and lawyer who has represented southern Florida in the United States House of Representatives since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, she currently serves the residents of Florida’s 22nd congressional district, a seat she has held continuously since 2023 after previously representing the 21st district from 2017 to 2023. Over the course of her career, Frankel has built a reputation as a steady voice for her constituents, drawing on decades of experience in state and local government.
Before her time in Congress, Frankel served seven terms in the Florida House of Representatives and was twice elected mayor of West Palm Beach. She was the first woman to serve as House Minority Leader in the Florida legislature, a milestone that highlighted her early role in breaking gender barriers in state politics. Frankel also chairs the Elect Democratic Women PAC, an organization dedicated to increasing the number of Democratic women in public office.
Early Life and Background
Lois Jane Frankel was born on May 16, 1948, in New York City to a Jewish family. She spent her early years in the city before pursuing higher education on the East Coast. Frankel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University in 1970, followed by a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1973. Her academic training in law laid the foundation for a career that would later blend public service with legal expertise.
After completing her education, Frankel relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1974, the city that would become her longtime home and the center of her political career. The move to South Florida placed her in a growing region with a diverse population and a dynamic political landscape, setting the stage for her entry into public life. Her upbringing in a Jewish household in New York, combined with her strong educational background, helped shape the values that would guide her work as a public servant.
Path to US Politics
Frankel’s entry into politics came in 1986 when she ran for an open seat in the Florida House of Representatives, following the decision of incumbent Democratic state representative Eleanor Weinstock to seek a Florida Senate seat. Frankel won that race decisively, defeating Republican nominee Gerald Adams by a margin of 69 percent to 31 percent. The victory launched a long career in the Florida legislature and established her as a rising figure in state politics.
During her time in the Florida House, Frankel rose through the ranks, serving as State House Majority Whip and later becoming the first female House Minority Leader in Florida history. She co-authored a change to Florida’s existing AIDS omnibus law, originally passed in 1988, demonstrating her willingness to take on sensitive public health issues. Frankel served in the state legislature for fourteen years, from 1986 to 2002, before leaving office due to term limits.
Lois Frankel Career
Early Career (1986-2003)
Frankel began her political career in 1986 when she won a seat in the Florida House of Representatives. She was reelected without opposition in 1988 and 1990, building a strong record of constituent service. In 1991, she resigned from the State House to pursue a seat in Congress, but lost the 1992 Democratic primary for Florida’s 23rd congressional district to former U.S. District Court Judge Alcee Hastings.
Frankel returned to the Florida House in 1994, winning back her old seat by defeating Mimi McAndrews in the Democratic primary. She went on to win the general election with 55 percent of the vote and was reelected three more times, in 1996, 1998, and 2000. In 2002, Frankel briefly entered the race for Governor of Florida before dropping out, the same year Governor Jeb Bush won reelection.
West Palm Beach Mayoral Years (2003-2011)
On March 11, 2003, Frankel defeated incumbent Democratic West Palm Beach Mayor Joel T. Daves III in the city’s mayoral election, winning 56 percent of the vote to Daves’s 38 percent. She was endorsed in the race by former West Palm Beach Mayor Nancy Graham and was sworn into office on March 27, 2003. Her victory marked a new chapter in her career, transitioning from state-level lawmaking to local executive leadership.
Frankel was reelected in 2007, defeating challenger Al Zucaro by a margin of 58 percent to 42 percent. During her two terms as mayor, she focused on issues facing the growing city of West Palm Beach, including economic development and infrastructure. On March 31, 2011, Frankel left office due to term limits, and city commissioner Jeri Muoio was elected to succeed her with 51 percent of the vote.
U.S. House of Representatives Era (2012-Present)
On March 21, 2011, Frankel announced her candidacy for the newly redrawn Florida’s 22nd congressional district in the 2012 House election. She won the Democratic primary on August 14, 2012, over Kristin Jacobs, and advanced to face Republican Adam Hasner in the general election. Frankel won the general election on November 6, 2012, defeating Hasner 54.7 percent to 45.3 percent, and was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013.
Frankel has been reelected multiple times since her initial victory, consistently winning her district with comfortable margins. In 2014, she defeated Republican Paul Spain 58 percent to 42 percent. After a Florida Supreme Court-ordered redistricting renumbered her seat as the 21st district, Frankel won the 2018 race against Spain by a margin of 63 percent to 35 percent. In 2020, she defeated Republican Laura Loomer, a candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump, and in 2022 and 2024, she defeated Republican Dan Franzese in consecutive rematches. Since 2023, she has represented Florida’s 22nd congressional district.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Frankel’s career was her role in the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. On December 18, 2019, and again on January 13, 2021, Frankel voted to impeach Trump, demonstrating her willingness to take politically difficult stands. In 2017, she also supported President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, stating that the move was consistent with current U.S. law. Throughout her career, Frankel has championed gun control measures, including universal background checks and a ban on high-capacity magazines, earning an “F” rating from the National Rifle Association.
Lois Frankel Family
Family Background and Heritage
Lois Jane Frankel was born to a Jewish family in New York City on May 16, 1948. Her upbringing in a Jewish household in one of America’s most diverse cities helped shape her early worldview and later influenced her political perspectives. Frankel’s family background and educational journey from New York to Washington, D.C., and ultimately to Florida, reflect a path that bridged multiple regions and communities.
Personal Life
Frankel has made West Palm Beach, Florida, her home since 1974, when she relocated there after completing her law degree at Georgetown University Law Center. Her long-standing residence in the city she later led as mayor reflects her deep ties to South Florida and the local community. Beyond her public service, Frankel is known for her dedication to increasing the representation of women in government through her work with the Elect Democratic Women PAC.