Lois Frankel pledges to help break Congressional gridlock, if elected

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - WEST PALM BEACH -- After a contentious race for the 22nd Congressional district, former West Palm Beach mayor and Democrat Lois Frankel said she was prepared to help bridge the partisan divide in Washington with a win over Republican challenger Adam Hasner.

"I'm going to bring the attitude that I hope everybody does," Frankel said. "I'm ready to roll up my sleeve. I'm going to. I'm willing to work with anyone -- regardless of what party -- who wants to break the gridlock [and] move the country forward."

Political analysts said the race between Frankel and Hasner was among the most-watched races in the country.

"This is one of the most contentious races in the country, one of the most expensive, and one of the most important," said Robert Watson, a professor at Lynn University. "They're seeing the millions of dollars that we used to see reserved for governor's races or senate races just in a congressional race."

A mid-October survey commissioned by WPTV NewsChannel 5 and FLDemocracy, and conducted by Public Policy Polling, found Frankel led Hasner with a 47 percent to 44 percent margin.

Nine percent of voters were undecided.

The poll suggested the Democratic-leaning district, which stretches from northern Palm Beach County to mostly eastern Broward County, could be a pick-up opportunity for Republicans.

“The race is close, but we find Frankel edging Hasner,  thanks to leads with independent voters, women and minorities,” said Jim Williams, a polling analyst at Public Policy Polling.

Frankel, a former Florida House Majority leader, spent part of Election Day in Broward and Palm Beach counties thanking supporters.

Her son, Ben Lubin, a former Marine captain in Iraq and Afghanistan, was with her.

Lubin was overseas during the last presidential election and voted in West Palm Beach on Tuesday afternoon.

"Politics brings out the worst in people," Lubin said. "Hopefully, after today, it's a time when we come together and everyone works together to tackle some of the things that are causing the problems right now."

Frankel said she was glad to have her son with her on Election Day.

"I'm so glad to have him here [and] voting for his mother," Frankel said. "I haven't checked the ballot but he said he voted for me. So, I'm very excited about tonight."