For Florida Senate races, here's a chance to know your candidates

Two seats are up for grabs in the Florida Senate that include districts that are entirely in Palm Beach County or include parts of the county.

The election is Nov. 3. Early voting in Palm Beach County begins Monday, Oct. 19.

The following previews have been compiled through questionnaires sent to the candidates by The Palm Beach Post and returned. For the candidates who did not respond to questionnaires, limited information is included on those candidates from their campaign websites.

State Senate District 24

Senate District 24

Incumbent Democrat Mack Bernard vs. Jackie Green, Republican.

District 24 covers a large portion of central and eastern Palm Beach County, including all or parts of West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Greenacres, Palm Springs and Palm Beach Gardens, as well

as several coastal and smaller communities.

Green did not respond to The Post's questionnaire. The information below was pulled from her campaign website.

Mack Bernard, Democrat

∎ Age: 50∎ Occupation: Florida state senator for District 24 since 2024; executive vice president at Cornerstone Solutions. Previously Palm Beach County commissioner for District 7 from 2016 to 2024.∎ Education: LL.M. in Taxation, University of Florida Levin College of Law (2003); J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law (2002); B.S. in Political Science and Criminal Justice, Florida State University (1997).∎ Voting record: Incumbent state senator seeking his first full term. Bernard says he secured more than $46 million for local projects in the past two state budgets, including water and sewer infrastructure, a special-needs shelter and school programs. He says unfinished priorities include lowering property insurance and housing costs.∎ Campaign website: MackBernard.com∎ Top three campaign priorities: Lowering property insurance and housing costs; protecting access to health care; and investing in public schools and teachers. Bernard also supports greater local control for cities and counties and using the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund for housing rather than sweeping money into the general budget.

Mack Bernard

∎ Why should people vote for you?: Bernard says his experience in city, county and state government allows him to deliver results across different levels of government. He cites more than $46 million in state funding he says he secured for local projects and says he works across party lines to solve problems.∎ Community involvement and service: Former Delray Beach city commissioner and deputy vice mayor; former Florida House member; former Palm Beach County commissioner, vice mayor and mayor; former chair of the Solid Waste Authority board and Palm Beach County Homeless Advisory Board; former chair of the Florida Association of Counties Finance, Tax and Administration Committee; former Florida Elections Commission member; president of the Palm Beach County Caucus of Black Elected Officials; Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class 38. Named Housing Hero of the Year by the Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County in 2024.∎ Experience that prepared them for office: Bernard cites his experience as a Delray Beach city commissioner, Florida House member, Palm Beach County commissioner and state senator, saying it has given him experience with municipal budgets, county growth and state policy. An attorney with experience in real estate and tax law, he says that background also gives him insight into how property, taxes and housing costs affect residents and businesses.

∎ What they hear from voters: Cost of living is the dominant concern, particularly property insurance premiums, rent, mortgage payments and everyday expenses. Bernard says voters also express frustration with state decisions overriding local governments and with difficulty getting clear information about state government.

∎ Key endorsements: Professional Firefighters of Palm Beach County and Florida Professional Firefighters; Palm Beach-Treasure Coast AFL-CIO; Palm Beach County Human Rights Council; Florida and Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Associations; Economic Council of Palm Beach County PAC; Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce PAC; Florida Education Association; Hispanic VOTE; Palm Beach County Democratic Black Caucus; and Women’s Issues Now.

∎ Top campaign donors: Bernard did not identify individual major donors, saying they are listed in state campaign-finance reports. He anticipates spending about $170,000 on the campaign.

Jackie Green, Republican

∎ Age: Not listed on campaign website.

∎ Occupation: Teacher and school counselor with decades of experience in education; previously worked on the staff of the Virginia Attorney General’s Office and as a legislative liaison. She is a Vietnam War-era U.S. Navy veteran.

∎ Education: Doctorate in Instructional Leadership. The campaign website does not identify the institution where she earned the degree.

∎ Campaign website: votejackiegreen.com

∎ Top three campaign priorities: 1) Education; 2) public safety; 3) affordability. Green says she would work to improve schools and academic achievement, support law enforcement and veterans, promote a strong local economy, reduce government and taxes and support election security.

∎ Why should people vote for you?: Green argues that District 24 needs a change from its current representation and says her experience in education, the military and Virginia government would allow her to be an effective senator.

∎ Community involvement and service: U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam era; longtime teacher and school counselor. She is bilingual and fluent in Spanish.

∎ Experience that prepared them for office: Green cites decades in education as a teacher and school counselor, leadership experience with educational institutions, military service and work in Virginia state government.

∎ What they hear from voters: The campaign website emphasizes concerns about education, public safety, affordability, taxes, veterans’ health care and housing, election security and government accountability.

State Senate District 26

Senate District 26

Rick Roth, Republican, vs. David Silvers, Democrat.

District 26 covers a broad swath of southern and western Palm Beach County, stretching from Boca Raton and Delray Beach west through Wellington and Royal Palm Beach and into agricultural areas near Lake Okeechobee, including Belle Glade and South Bay.

Rick Roth, Republican

∎ Age: 73∎ Occupation: President of Roth Farms Inc. since 1986; previously served eight years in the Florida House, representing District 85 from 2016 to 2022 and District 94 from 2022 to 2024.∎ Education: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Emory University.∎ Voting record: Former Florida House member who served from 2016 to 2024. Roth points to his work on environmental protection, growth management, workforce housing and local infrastructure. He also cites efforts to secure dedicated Sadowski Trust Fund money for affordable housing and create a food-recovery program benefiting local food banks.∎ Campaign website: RickRoth4Senate.com∎ Top three campaign priorities: Managing growth by ensuring roads, drainage and water infrastructure keep pace with development; protecting natural resources; and expanding affordable and workforce housing. Roth also identifies property insurance costs, traffic congestion and Everglades restoration as priorities for District 26.

Rick Roth

∎ Why should people vote for you?: Roth says his eight years in the Florida House give him a record of working across party lines on environmental protection, growth management, workforce housing and infrastructure. He says he would take a practical approach focused on results rather than partisan politics.∎ Community involvement and service: Longtime Palm Beach County farmer and agricultural industry advocate who says he has served on several agricultural organization boards. Elected to the Florida House in 2016 and served through 2024.∎ Experience that prepared them for office: Roth cites four decades running his family farming business, work with agricultural organizations and eight years in the Florida House. He says those experiences taught him long-term planning, budgeting, public-private cooperation and how to build coalitions around policy issues.∎ What they hear from voters: Cost of living is the dominant concern, particularly property insurance and housing affordability. Roth says voters also are concerned about inflation and rapid growth and want practical solutions rather than partisan division.∎ Key endorsements: President Donald Trump; U.S. Rep. Randy Fine; U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack; state Reps. Anne Gerwig and Peggy Gossett-Seidman; Wellington Village Council members Amanda Silvestri, Maria Antuña and John T. McGovern/Johnny Meier as listed by Roth; Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Selena Samios; and Bryan Avila, whom Roth identifies as a lieutenant governor candidate.∎ Top campaign donors: Roth did not identify individual major financial supporters in the questionnaire. He says his campaign budget is more than $1 million.

David Silvers, Democrat

∎ Age: 47∎ Occupation: President of Tekno Books LLC for the past 10 years; former Florida House representative, serving from 2016 to 2024.∎ Education: J.D./MBA, University of Miami.∎ Voting record: Former Florida House member who served eight years. Silvers highlights his work on behavioral health, saying he sponsored and passed seven mental-health bills. He also cites legislation expanding Good Samaritan protections in alcohol- and drug-related emergencies and legislation designed to protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation. Silvers says he secured about $40 million for local projects during his House tenure.∎ Campaign website: votedavidsilvers.com∎ Top three campaign priorities: Affordable and workforce housing, reducing property insurance costs and improving access to health care. Silvers supports expanding Medicaid and says he wants stronger oversight by the Office of Insurance Regulation.

David Silvers

∎ Why should people vote for you?: Silvers says his eight years in the Florida House demonstrated his ability to deliver for his district and Palm Beach County. He points to his legislative record, local project funding and ability to build relationships across party lines, saying he would put the community ahead of partisan politics.∎ Community involvement and service: Project Lifesaver International ambassador since 2025; Leadership Palm Beach County member since 2015; former member of the Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council; volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Boca Helping Hands and the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation Annual Walk. Served in the Florida House from 2016 to 2024.∎ Experience that prepared them for office: Silvers cites his eight years in the Florida House, including serving as Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation chairman in 2021. He says he developed expertise in behavioral health legislation and worked across party lines on local appropriations and legislation involving mental health, higher education, criminal justice and protection of vulnerable adults.∎ What they hear from voters: Housing affordability, property insurance and health care are the leading concerns Silvers says he hears throughout the district.∎ Key endorsements: State Sens. Tracie Davis, Shevrin Jones, Darryl Rouson, Barbara Sharief, Rosalind Osgood, Mack Bernard and Kristen Arrington; state Reps. Kelly Skidmore, Dan Daley, Kevin Chambliss, Michael Gottlieb and Daryl Campbell; Palm Beach-Treasure Coast AFL-CIO; Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association; Palm Beach County firefighters, PBA and FOP; Economic Council of Palm Beach County; State Hispanic Chamber; and Associated Industries of Florida.∎ Top campaign donors: Silvers did not identify individual major financial supporters, saying his support comes from organizations including labor unions and the business community. He anticipates spending about $500,000 on the campaign.