Sachs defeats Fischer for county commission seat

(This story has been updated with new information.)

Incumbent Maria Sachs will represent Palm Beach County’s District 5, one of three seats up for grabs in this year’s general election, according to the release. unofficial results posted on the county’s election website Tuesday.

With 99% of Palm Beach County polling places reporting, Sachs led Republican candidate John Fischer by a 55% to 45% margin.

Sachs received a total of 68,678 votes and Fischer 55,410 votes from 105 precincts.

“I am proud that the results of the people who trust my judgment will serve them well over the next four years,” Sachs said. “I look forward to getting back to work on what I started four years ago and making sure Palm Beach County remains a haven for everyone.”

District 5 includes most of the area west of Boynton Beach and west of Boca Raton.

The Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners consists of seven members who are elected from single-member districts by the voters they represent. Commissioners are elected to four-year terms and represent the entire district.

➤ 2024 General Election Results in Palm Beach County

➤ 2024 Florida General Election Results

Sachs, 75, a Democrat, is the current Palm Beach County mayor on the commission.

During her election campaign, she said her priorities were protecting the agricultural reserve, improving the welfare of the elderly, lowering the cost of living and addressing traffic and infrastructure problems.

Sachs has worked as a prosecutor in the state’s attorney’s office, as an associate attorney at Florida Atlantic University and as a partner in her own firm. She also served two terms in the Florida House of Representatives and two terms in the Florida Senate.

Fisher, 62, is a retired firefighter paramedic captain and said his priorities are the county budget, managing county tax revenue and public safety.

He served 27 years with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and retired with the rank of captain in 2013.

The council is responsible for enacting county laws and authorizing programs and expenditures of county funds. Commissioners also serve as the Child Care Facilities Board, the Solid Waste Authority Governing Board, the Environmental Control Board and the Zoning Board.

The Council typically meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month for public hearings and to discuss regular agenda items. Seminars are usually held on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Jasmine Fernandez is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can contact her at [email protected] and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.