Bobby Powell Jr.

Bobby Powell Jr. is the District 7 Commissioner for Palm Beach County, representing a diverse northeastern urban corridor that includes Riviera Beach, Lake Park, and parts of West Palm Beach. A member of the Democratic Party, Powell was elected to the seat in November 2024 after winning his primary in a landslide and securing the general election with nearly 70% of the vote, a crucial win that helped Democrats regain a 4-3 governing majority on the county commission. Powell brings a massive wealth of legislative experience to the board, having previously served two terms in the Florida House of Representatives and eight years in the Florida State Senate, where he served as Minority Leader Pro-Tempore and Chair of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus. Professionally, he is a certified urban planner (AICP) who earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Florida A&M University and a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University. Prior to his current office, he worked as a private sector project manager for Urban Design Kilday Studios and as a municipal planner, expertise he now channels directly into his commission priorities of expanding affordable housing, driving local economic development, and securing infrastructure resources for District 7 families.

The Palm Beach County Commission is the governing body of Palm Beach County, a county-level executive and legislative branch of local government in Florida. Commissioners set county policy, approve budgets, enact ordinances, and oversee the delivery of public services to county residents.