Two candidates vying for the Palm Beach County Commission will appear on the Aug. 20 Democratic ballot. The candidates, Bobby Powell Jr.
and Richard A. Ryles, are running for District 7, which includes cities such as Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lantana, Hypoluxo, Riviera Beach, Mangonia Park and Lake Park. Whoever wins the Democratic primary will then appear on the November general election ballot alongside the other District 7 candidate, Republican Leonard L.
Serratore. Two other people, Boaz Fleurena and Javonta Jerome Taylor, are both write-in candidates for the November election. The winner of the November election will replace District 7’s current Commissioner Mack Bernard.
The District 7 seat is one of three openings on the County Commission this election year. The South Florida Sun Sentinel interviewed the two District 7 candidates who will appear in the primary. Powell and Ryles are the only candidates who will be on the ballot during this year’s primary election — no Republican candidates for any of the open commission seats will appear on the August ballot, only on the November ballot.
Among the key issues for the county include affordability, incomes, and how to balance smart development along with the county’s growth. Since 2016, Powell has served as a state senator representing cities in the county and served on various committees, with work in the senate centering largely around gun safety reforms, health care and criminal justice reform. Ryles is a pra.