(This story was updated to add new information.)
Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter has added her name to the growing list of candidates seeking to represent Florida’s new 22nd Congressional District, which was drawn to ensure that a Republican like her is elected.
Baxter, an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, announced on June 8 that she would withdraw from her bid to win a second four-year term on the county commission and seek a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives instead.
She has been involved in a primary fight with Elizabeth Accomando, president of the Indian Trail Improvement District, for the Republican nomination for the commission seat, which represents the western communities. Baxter’s withdrawal ensures Accomando will be the GOP candidate this fall.
“The creation of the new congressional district blesses me with the opportunity to work with President Trump to stop illegal migrant crime, protect our elections, slash red tape and defend our Second Amendment rights,” Baxter said in a prepared statement announcing her candidacy.
Rumors had been circulating that Baxter would withdraw from the race and run for Congress. She recently survived an effort by Accomando supporters to have the county Republican Executive Committee endorse Accomando. An aide to President Donald Trump had urged that the committee stay neutral, according to GOP County Chairman Carl Cascio.
Trump had endorsed Baxter for re-election to the commission. Asked whether she expected to again receive Trump’s endorsement, she said: “We are working hard to earn it.”
“I wish her well,” Accomando said. “Our polls were showing that we were doing very well. She had alienated many people. Her decision to run for Congress, rather than for the county commission, may have been influenced by how poorly she was doing in the county race.”
State redrew congressional districts to elect Republicans to U.S. House
State lawmakers drew the 22nd Congressional District as part of the mid-decade redistricting proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and backed by the Republican-controlled Legislature.
It includes Weston and Parkland in western Broward, Wellington and Loxahatchee Groves in central Palm Beach County, and the Glades communities near Lake Okeechobee. It also extends through the Everglades to Marco Island near Naples.
The Cook Political Report, an independent, nonpartisan newsletter, says the district now leans Republican.
U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, currently represents the 22nd district, but she is now running in District 23.
Baxter’s announcement came just four days before the June 12 filing deadline, and she will have opposition in the Republican primary. The other GOP candidates that have filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission include:
Pia Dandiya is the leading Democrat. She is a former educator, White House fellow, and Apple strategy manager. She has the endorsements of Frankel and several Broward County Democrats.
Dandiya had been expected to challenge Rep. Brian Mast, the Republican who represents northern Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie counties, but she chose to run in the 22nd district once state officials redrew the maps.
Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Sara Baxter to seek Congress seat, pledging to press Trump agenda
Reporting by Mike Diamond, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Diamond, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
