Two former state House members are competing for Senate District 26, an open seat in southern Palm Beach County. Democrat David Silvers and Republican Rick Roth served together in the House from 2016 to 2024. The seat is being vacated by Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman, who is term-limited.
The district covers Belle Glade, Golf, South Bay and Wellington, along with coastal Briny Breezes, Delray Beach, Highland Beach and Ocean Ridge, and part of north Boca Raton. Berman won the district in 2022 by nearly 10 percentage points. Florida Politics reports that Silvers is favored to hold the seat for Democrats, given the national environment and his large fundraising lead.
Silvers, a lawyer, presents himself as a moderate who can work across the aisle. He points to his House record on mental health, health care expansion, criminal justice and education. He has also called himself a staunch supporter of Israel. Roth, a farmer, is running on lower taxes, reduced spending, property insurance reform and support for the district’s agriculture sector. President Donald Trump backs Roth.
Silvers has the stronger financial position. Through Oct. 2, he had raised about $508,000, including a $25,000 self-loan. Roth raised $352,500, but $250,000 of that was a self-loan. Entering the final month, Silvers reported $201,500 across his campaign account and committee, about four times Roth’s $51,500.
Silvers’ endorsements include police and fire unions, the AFL-CIO, the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association and the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. Roth has won four House races, but the report says this is the toughest contest of his career because the district leans Democratic even in Republican-leaning years. Election Day is Nov. 3.
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