The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board is endorsing candidates in a number of races in the Nov. 3 elections. What follows is the Post's endorsements for Florida House races in Districts 89, 90 and 91, which cover some of the county's central, west and southern areas.
Whatever your choice, it's important to make your voice heard by early voting, voting by mail or by going to the polls on Nov. 3. For more details on different ways to vote, to confirm if you're registered, to know your voting precinct and/or to follow your vote, go to votepalmbeach.gov.
➤ POST ENDORSEMENTS: See all of the Editorial Board's endorsements for races on Nov. 3
Debra Tendrich for State House 89
In 2024, Debra Tendrich won election to the
Florida Legislature after a campaign of hard work and high hopes. Newbie lawmakers, particularly Democrats, usually endure their first term with few accomplishments. Tendrich has proven to be a rare exception, and for that reason the Post recommends voters re-elect her as their state representative.
Tendrich, 40, a Lake Worth Beach resident and founder of a local nonprofit, has stepped into the job, exceeding general expectations of rookie state legislators. In her first term, Tendrich passed five bills, including comprehensive domestic violence legislation and a bill enhancing the West Palm Beach police and firefighter pensions. She also secured $5 million in state funding for local infrastructure, education, workforce development and public safety programs.
If re-elected, Tendrich would work to strengthen public schools, improve teacher pay, and expand career readiness opportunities. She'll also work to improve mental health support for children and families, and lower insurance costs and improve housing stability so that families can continue to live in her district.
Her Republican opponent, Cathy Higgins, didn't participate in the newspaper's endorsement process. No matter. Tendrich has shown that she's the better choice and deserves re-election to the Florida Legislature.
Rob Long for State House 90
In 2024, Rob Long resigned his seat on the Delray Beach Commission to run for the Florida Legislature. As a legislator, the first term lawmaker has done enough in Tallahassee to warrant a chance to represent this south Palm Beach County district for another term. The Post therefore urges voters to re-elect him to the Florida House of Representatives.
Long, 41, a civil engineer by trade, has pulled off several accomplishments during his first term, including a law that requires autism-specific instructional opportunities for school administrative personnel. Another one, The Joe Casello Act, phases out PFAS-containing firefighting foam that has been linked to serious health concerns, including certain cancers. Affordability remains a priority for Long, particularly property insurance, housing and the rising cost of living. He also wants to continue addressing clean water and PFAS, environmental resilience and public safety concerns.
Ionel Roiban is the Republican running against Long. We can't say much about him, much less make an endorsement, because Roiban didn't respond to the newspaper's endorsement inquiries. In this contest, Long is the obvious choice.
Peggy Gossett-Seidman for House District 91
As a Republican in the Florida Legislature, state Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman deserves kudos for keeping it local. That's not as easy as it sounds in a legislature that demands members of the majority party keep in lockstep with the House Speaker and legislative leadership. But, Gossett-Seidman manages to keep her district front and center, even amid the more partisan votes demanded of her. For that reason, the Post urges voters to re-elect her to a third term.
Gossett-Seidman, 73, lives in Highland Beach and her seniority has helped the county in obtaining state funding. In the past four years, she's brought back $75.4 million in state funding to support local clean water projects, roadways, job training, public safety, mental health, children’s and senior services, and veterans programs, along with money for Florida Atlantic University and the Palm Beach County School District. She continues to push for better efforts to curb traffic congestion and better collaboration between state and local officials and the Treasure Coast Planning Council.
Luis Garcia is the Democratic candidate in the race. He is a 60-year-old independent contractor living in Boca Raton and making his first bid for elective office. Garcia, if elected, would do what he could to undo many of the policies passed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled legislature. While this paper has criticized many policies coming out of the legislature, we believe Palm Beach County is well-served by Gossett-Seidman and recommend voters re-elect her to the Florida House.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Post recommendations for Florida House 89, 90, 91 | Endorsement
