Election Heat Intensifies for Palm Beach State Attorney Position
With just days remaining before the election, the race for Palm Beach State Attorney is shaping up to be a closely contested affair. Democratic candidate Alexcia Cox, endorsed by retiring incumbent Dave Aronberg, is banking on grassroots support and her status as a Democrat in a predominantly Democratic county, where she holds a lead of nearly 45,000 registered voters over Republicans. However, her opponent, Republican Sam Stern, has amassed significant financial backing since earning his nomination in August and boasts endorsements from two Democratic challengers.
This year’s campaign has dramatically changed the fundraising landscape, with both candidates collectively raising over $2 million compared to just $860,000 in 2012. Stern, in particular, has attracted substantial contributions from affluent supporters including billionaire Thomas Peterffy, hedge fund manager John Paulson, and casino magnate Steve Wynn, who have collectively donated over $500,000 to a committee supporting his campaign. Stern’s total fundraising has surpassed $1.4 million since the August primary, outpacing Cox’s approximately $800,000, which includes a notable $200,000 donation from Jonathan Pollock just weeks before the election.
Cox, the current deputy chief assistant state attorney, emphasizes her community support through hundreds of smaller donations, arguing they reflect local voter sentiment. She believes her experience will resonate with the electorate. In contrast, Stern, a former prosecutor and law professor, insists that bipartisan backing underscores a public desire for change within the State Attorney’s Office.
As voters prepare to head to the polls on Tuesday, both candidates are striving to solidify their visions for a crucial office that manages a range of prosecutorial responsibilities from misdemeanors to capital cases.
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