Lois Frankel

Lois Frankel
Born	Lois Jane Frankel 16 5, 1948
Birthplace	New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	U.S. Representative for Florida's 22nd congressional district; Mayor of West Palm Beach
Education	Georgetown University (JD)
Website	[[frankel.house.gov frankel.house.gov] Official site]

Lois Jane Frankel (born May 16, 1948) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 22nd congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Frankel has held elected office at multiple levels of Florida government over a career spanning four decades. Before entering Congress, she served seven terms in the Florida House of Representatives, where she rose to the positions of Minority Whip and Minority Leader, and two terms as Mayor of West Palm Beach from 2003 to 2011. Her congressional tenure has been marked by engagement on issues including women's rights, foreign policy, and appropriations. Frankel's district encompasses portions of Palm Beach County, and she has been a prominent voice in South Florida Democratic politics since the late 1980s. She first won her congressional seat in 2012, succeeding Republican Allen West, and has been reelected in subsequent cycles. As of 2026, she serves as Ranking Member on the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee.

Early Life

Lois Jane Frankel was born on May 16, 1948, in New York City, New York. She grew up in the New York metropolitan area during the postwar era. Details regarding her parents, siblings, and childhood upbringing are not extensively documented in publicly available sources. Frankel later relocated to Florida, where she would build both her legal career and her political career over the course of several decades.

Education

Frankel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University. She subsequently attended Georgetown University Law Center, where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree. Her legal education at Georgetown provided the foundation for her early career as a practicing attorney in Florida before she entered electoral politics.

Career

Florida House of Representatives (1986–2002)

Frankel's political career began with her election to the Florida House of Representatives in 1986, when she won the seat representing the 83rd district, succeeding Eleanor Weinstock. She served in this capacity from November 4, 1986, through November 3, 1992, winning reelection during that period. The district was subsequently redistricted following the 1990 census.

After redistricting, Frankel ran for the newly configured 85th district in 1994. She won the seat, succeeding Mimi McAndrews. She served the 85th district from November 8, 1994, through November 5, 2002, when she was succeeded by Shelley Vana.

Over her fourteen years of cumulative service in the Florida House, Frankel rose through the ranks of the Democratic caucus. She served as Minority Whip and was subsequently elected Minority Leader of the Florida State House, the highest-ranking position available to a member of the minority party in that chamber. Her leadership roles placed her at the forefront of Democratic legislative efforts in Tallahassee during a period when Republicans held majority control of the chamber.

1992 Congressional Campaign

In 1992, while still serving in the Florida House, Frankel made her first bid for the United States House of Representatives. She ran in the Democratic primary for a Florida congressional seat but was unsuccessful in her attempt to secure the nomination. Despite this setback, Frankel returned to the Florida House and continued her service there for another decade.

2002 Gubernatorial Campaign

In 2002, Frankel sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of Florida. The gubernatorial campaign represented her most ambitious bid for statewide office. However, she was unsuccessful in the Democratic primary. The defeat marked the end of her tenure in the Florida House, as she had not sought reelection to her legislative seat while pursuing the governorship.

Mayor of West Palm Beach (2003–2011)

Following her gubernatorial campaign, Frankel turned her attention to local government. In 2003, she was elected Mayor of West Palm Beach, succeeding Joel T. Daves III. She took office on March 27, 2003.

As mayor, Frankel oversaw the governance of one of South Florida's largest cities during a period that included both economic growth and the challenges posed by the Great Recession. She won reelection to a second term, continuing to serve until March 31, 2011, when she was required to leave office due to term limits. She was succeeded as mayor by Jeri Muoio.

Frankel's tenure as mayor spanned eight years and two full terms, making her one of the longer-serving mayors in the city's modern history. Her administration dealt with issues including municipal pensions, development, and city services during a transformative period for West Palm Beach.

U.S. House of Representatives (2013–present)

2012 Election

After leaving the mayor's office, Frankel ran for Florida's 22nd congressional district in 2012. The seat had been held by Republican Allen West, who chose to run in the neighboring 18th district following redistricting. Frankel won the Democratic primary and proceeded to the general election, where she faced Republican Adam Hasner. Frankel won the general election, capturing the seat and beginning her service in the 113th United States Congress on January 3, 2013.

Subsequent Elections

Frankel won reelection in 2014, securing her seat in the 22nd congressional district. Following redistricting after the 2010 and 2020 censuses, Frankel's district underwent boundary changes. From 2017 to 2023, she represented Florida's 21st congressional district, and since 2023, she has again represented the 22nd district under the most recent redistricting map. Throughout these changes, her constituency has remained centered in Palm Beach County.

Legislative Priorities and Committee Work

In Congress, Frankel has focused on a range of policy areas. As of 2026, she serves as Ranking Member of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, a position that gives her a role in overseeing federal spending on diplomacy and national security programs.

Frankel has been an outspoken advocate on issues related to women's rights and reproductive health policy. In her role as Ranking Member, she has spoken against the expansion of the Mexico City policy (often referred to as the "Global Gag Rule"), which restricts U.S. foreign aid to organizations that provide or promote abortion services abroad.

On immigration policy, Frankel has taken positions critical of the Trump administration's enforcement efforts. In early 2026, she voted against a measure to extend funding for the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling for reforms to the agency. She also announced her support for a House resolution to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in January 2026.

On fiscal matters, Frankel criticized what she described as a reckless approach to government funding by the Republican majority. In September 2025, she issued a statement opposing a government shutdown, stating her objections to the funding impasse.

On trade policy, Frankel has been critical of tariff measures enacted during the Trump administration. In February 2026, ahead of the State of the Union address, she criticized the administration's tariff policies, arguing that they negatively affect consumers and the economy.

Frankel has also been involved in appropriations work on behalf of her district, soliciting community input for federal funding requests. In February 2026, her office opened the request portal for fiscal year 2027 programmatic and report language requests, with a deadline of March 6, 2026.

Local Advocacy

Frankel has maintained an active role in local issues affecting Palm Beach County. In February 2026, she released a statement in response to the Florida State Senate's passage of legislation related to the potential renaming of an airport, asserting that Palm Beach County residents deserved a voice in any such decision.

2026 Primary Challenge

In January 2026, Victoria Doyle, a Lake Worth Beach attorney and local activist, announced her campaign to challenge Frankel in the Democratic primary for Florida's 22nd Congressional District, scheduled for August 2026. The challenge represents an intraparty contest in a district that has been represented by Frankel since 2013.

Personal Life

Frankel resides in the West Palm Beach area of Palm Beach County, Florida, which she has represented in various capacities since the late 1980s. Prior to her political career, she practiced law in Florida after completing her legal education at Georgetown University. Details about her family life beyond her public roles are not extensively documented in publicly available sources.

Frankel's district includes portions of Palm Beach County, and she has maintained strong ties to the community throughout her career in local, state, and federal government. Her trajectory from state legislator to mayor to member of Congress reflects a sustained engagement with South Florida civic life.

Legacy

Lois Frankel's career in public service spans nearly four decades of elected office at the local, state, and federal levels. Her seven terms in the Florida House of Representatives, including her service as Minority Leader, established her as one of the more prominent Democratic legislators in Tallahassee during a period of Republican dominance. Her subsequent two terms as Mayor of West Palm Beach demonstrated her ability to transition from legislative to executive governance.

In Congress, Frankel has carved out a role focused on appropriations, women's issues, and foreign policy. Her position as Ranking Member on the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee places her in a position of influence over significant areas of federal spending. Her persistent criticism of policies she opposes—including trade tariffs, immigration enforcement measures, and restrictions on reproductive health foreign aid—has made her a vocal member of the Democratic caucus.

Her career has also been characterized by resilience following electoral setbacks, including her unsuccessful 1992 congressional bid and her failed 2002 gubernatorial campaign, after which she successfully pivoted to the West Palm Beach mayoral race and later to Congress.