Lois Frankel
Encyclopedia
Lois J. Frankel is an American
politician
and lawyer
. A former member of the Florida House of Representatives
for fourteen years, Frankel became the first woman to serve as Minority Leader
of the State House in Florida's history. Frankel was elected Mayor
of West Palm Beach, Florida
, in 2003, serving two terms in office until leaving office 2011 due to term limits.
and received a bachelor's degree
from Boston University
. She earned a law degree
from Georgetown University Law Center
. Frankel's lifelong work on important social issues led to her founding West Palm Beach's first domestic assault shelter now known as Harmony House.
, in 1974. She was first served in the Florida State House from 1986 to 1992. She vacated her seat in 1992 to run for the United States House of Representatives
in Florida's 23rd district
. However, she was defeated in the primary by Rep. Alcee Hastings
. Frankel then regained her seat in the Florida State House in 1994. Frankel became the first female House Minority Leader
in Florida's history and co-authored Florida's first AIDS
law. She left office due to term limits in 2002 after winning election six times, for a total of fourteen years in the State House. In 2002, Frankel entered and then dropped out of the 2002 Florida gubernatorial election
, in which Governor Jeb Bush
won re-election. Representative Frankel earned a reputation for being an outspoken defender of Florida's children, seniors, and working families. She led many efforts to reduce family violence and tackle the tobacco industry's targeting of minors.
Frankel left office as Mayor of West Palm Beach on March 31, 2011 after two-terms due to term limits. She was succeeded by her "hand-picked successor," West Palm Beach city commissioner Jeri Muoio
, who was elected in March 2011 with 51% of the vote.
in the upcoming 2012 House election
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
. A former member of the Florida House of Representatives
Florida House of Representatives
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 156,677.The House convenes at...
for fourteen years, Frankel became the first woman to serve as Minority Leader
Minority leader
In U.S. politics, the minority leader is the floor leader of the second largest caucus in a legislative body. Given the two-party nature of the U.S. system, the minority leader is almost inevitably either a Republican or a Democrat, with their counterpart being of the opposite party. The position...
of the State House in Florida's history. Frankel was elected Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
, in 2003, serving two terms in office until leaving office 2011 due to term limits.
Early Life, Education, and Career
Frankel was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and received a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. She earned a law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
from Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
. Frankel's lifelong work on important social issues led to her founding West Palm Beach's first domestic assault shelter now known as Harmony House.
State House
Frankel moved to West Palm Beach, FloridaWest Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
, in 1974. She was first served in the Florida State House from 1986 to 1992. She vacated her seat in 1992 to run for the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in Florida's 23rd district
Florida's 23rd congressional district
Florida's 23rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida. Based in South Florida, the district is highly racially gerrymandered and consists of the heavily African American parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties...
. However, she was defeated in the primary by Rep. Alcee Hastings
Alcee Hastings
Alcee Lamar Hastings is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:...
. Frankel then regained her seat in the Florida State House in 1994. Frankel became the first female House Minority Leader
Minority leader
In U.S. politics, the minority leader is the floor leader of the second largest caucus in a legislative body. Given the two-party nature of the U.S. system, the minority leader is almost inevitably either a Republican or a Democrat, with their counterpart being of the opposite party. The position...
in Florida's history and co-authored Florida's first AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
law. She left office due to term limits in 2002 after winning election six times, for a total of fourteen years in the State House. In 2002, Frankel entered and then dropped out of the 2002 Florida gubernatorial election
Florida gubernatorial election, 2002
The 2002 Florida gubernatorial election took place on 5 November 2002 for the post of Governor of Florida. Incumbent Republican governor Jeb Bush defeated Democratic candidate Bill McBride...
, in which Governor Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush
John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...
won re-election. Representative Frankel earned a reputation for being an outspoken defender of Florida's children, seniors, and working families. She led many efforts to reduce family violence and tackle the tobacco industry's targeting of minors.
Mayor
On March 11, 2003, Frankel defeated incumbent West Palm Beach Mayor Joel Daves in the mayoral election. Frankel received 6,803 votes (55.7%), while Daves came in second with 4,625 votes, or 37.8% of the votes cast. Frankel was endorsed in the race by former West Palm Beach Mayor Nancy Graham. She was sworn into office on March 27, 2003. She was re-elected to a second term in March 2007.Frankel left office as Mayor of West Palm Beach on March 31, 2011 after two-terms due to term limits. She was succeeded by her "hand-picked successor," West Palm Beach city commissioner Jeri Muoio
Jeri Muoio
Geraldine "Jeri" Muoio is an American politician and current Mayor of West Palm Beach, Florida since 2011. Muoio is the fourth strong mayor in the city's history....
, who was elected in March 2011 with 51% of the vote.
Congressional Election
On March 21, 2011, Frankel announced that she would challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Allen West (R-Florida) of Florida's 22nd congressional districtFlorida's 22nd congressional district
Florida's 22nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida. Based in South Florida, the district encompasses the coastline from northern...
in the upcoming 2012 House election
United States House of Representatives elections, 2012
The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections will be held on November 6, 2012. Elections will be held for all 435 seats, representing the 50 U.S. states. Elections will also be held for the delegates from the District of Columbia and five major U.S. territories.The winners of this...
.