Lori Berman

Lori Berman
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 90th district
Assumed office
November 20, 2012
Preceded by Irving Slosberg
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 86th district
In office
November 16, 2010 – November 20, 2012
Preceded by Maria Sachs
Succeeded by Mark Pafford
Personal details
Born (1958-06-27) June 27, 1958
New York City, New York
Political party Democratic
Alma mater Tufts University (B.A.)
George Washington University Law School (J.D.)
University of Miami Law School (LL.M.)
Profession Attorney
Religion Judaism

Lori Berman (born on June 27, 1958) is a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 90th District, which includes the cities of Atlantis, Boynton Beach, and Greenacres in southeastern Palm Beach County, since 2012, previously representing the 86th District from 2010 to 2012.

History

Berman was born in New York City, New York, moved to the state of Florida in 1958, and later attended Tufts University, where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 1980. Afterwards, she attended the George Washington University Law School, graduating in 1983. She returned to Florida, and, years later, attended the University of Miami Law School, where she received a Master of Laws with a specialty in estate planning in 2002. While working as an attorney in South Florida, Berman became active in politics, working for the congressional campaigns of former Congressman Robert Wexler and in his congressional office.

Florida House of Representatives

When incumbent State Representative Maria Sachs opted to run for the Florida Senate rather than seek re-election, Berman ran to succeed her in the Democratic primary in the 86th District, which stretched from Hypoluxo to Boca Raton in eastern Palm Beach County. She defeated her only opponent, Carole Penny Kaye, in a landslide, receiving 79% of the vote. In the general election, Berman was unopposed and won her first term uncontested.

In 2012, when the Florida House districts were reconfigured, Berman was redistricted into the 90th District, which included most of the territory that she had previously represented. She won the nomination of her party unopposed, and in the general election, faced Republican nominee Sean Michael Kasper. The Palm Beach Post endorsed Berman for re-election, praising her for having "an impact in a GOP-dominated legislature," despite adhering "too much to liberal party doctrine."[1] The South Florida Sun-Sentinel concurred, criticizing Kasper for "his lack of understanding...the issues facing lawmakers and the basics of...the legislative process," but endorsing Berman for her "decent record of representing county residents in Tallahassee."[2] She ended up defeating Kasper in a landslide, receiving 68% of the vote to his 32%.

While serving in the legislature, Berman joined with fellow State Representative Janet Cruz to propose legislation that would ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in the state of Florida.[3] Berman also sponsored legislation that would "impose background checks on all gun purchasers," but it did not pass in the 2013 legislative session.[4]

In 2014, Berman was re-elected to her third term in the legislature without opposition.

References

  1. ↑ Swan, Rhonda (October 21, 2012). "Editorial: Berman over Kasper in Florida House 90". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  2. ↑ "State House District 90 and State Senate District 25: Choose Abruzzo, Berman". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  3. ↑ Koff, Rochelle (April 10, 2013). "Democratic women want legislators to know: 'We're watching'". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  4. ↑ Man, Anthony (May 9, 2013). "Facebook message spurs measure to aid rape victims". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
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