In the quest to flip House District 91 from red to blue in the upcoming November elections, Boca Raton lawyer Jay Shooster has secured an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel. This endorsement marks the second from a member of Congress and the sixth among Democratic lawmakers backing Shooster’s campaign.
The announcement of Frankel’s endorsement came through a press release from Shooster’s campaign on Monday, lacking a direct comment from the Congresswoman.
This support adds to a growing list of endorsements for Shooster, including those from U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, state Sens. Lori Berman and Tina Polsky, and state Reps. Joe Casello and Kelly Skidmore, all fellow Democrats.
Jay Shooster (Credits: Florida Politics)
Expressing gratitude for Frankel’s endorsement, Shooster stated, “I am honored to receive the endorsement of Congresswoman Lois Frankel. Her leadership and dedication to our community align with the values and principles of my campaign. Together, we will address the real kitchen table issues facing the residents of Palm Beach County.”
Shooster, who officially filed to challenge freshman Republican Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman in June, began 2024 with a substantial campaign fund of $378,000, combining his campaign account and political committee. Notably, he raised $41,000 in the last quarter solely through personal checks, with an average donation of $493.
In comparison, Gossett-Seidman, a media professional and former Highland Beach Commissioner, started the new year with approximately $49,000 in her campaign coffers. This amount included $24,500 sourced from a mix of corporate contributions and personal checks.
As of now, Gossett-Seidman faces an uncontested path to the General Election in November. However, Shooster is set to contend with at least one challenger, Michaelangelo Hamilton, a Boca Raton insurance agent who recently entered the race.
Hamilton’s previous attempt in 2022, running in the Democratic Primary for Florida’s 23rd Congressional District, placed him last among six candidates, given his age of 22 at the time, which rendered him ineligible for Congress.
House District 91 encompasses a southern portion of Palm Beach County, including Boca Raton and sections of Highland Beach and West Boca.
Although historically a reliable Democratic stronghold, the district underwent a shift towards conservatism after the 2022 redistricting. The upcoming elections will determine the trajectory of this highly contested district.
