Mackenson "Mack" Bernard (born March 4, 1976) is a Haitian-born American politician who has served as a member of the Florida Senate since 2024.[1] He lives in Boynton Beach, Florida. Bernard moved to Florida in 1986.
Mack Bernard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 24th district | |
| Assumed office November 19, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Bobby Powell |
| Member of the Palm Beach County Commission from the 7th district | |
| In office November 22, 2016 – November 5, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Priscilla Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Bobby Powell |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 27th district | |
| In office September 22, 2009 – November 6, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Priscilla Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Larry Lee Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 4, 1976 Port au Prince, Haiti |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Shawn Bernard |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | |
| Profession | Lawyer, business executive |
Political career
editHe was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2009 as a Democrat in the 27th district.[2]
In 2012, Bernard ran for a seat in the 27th district of the Florida Senate, facing fellow Representative Jeff Clemens. Clemens won the endorsement of labor unions AFL-CIO and SEIU, while Bernard received the endorsement of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.[3] In the end, Clemens was able to narrowly defeat Bernard by only seventeen votes in the primary election.[4] Bernard held out hope, however, that Clemens's victory would be overturned and filed a lawsuit to have forty absentee ballots counted. A judge in Tallahassee ruled against Bernard but allowed nine provisional ballots to be counted, which would not have been enough to allow Bernard to emerge victorious.[5] In the general election, Clemens remained on the ballot as the Democratic nominee, and was elected unopposed.
In June 2024, Bernard was elected to the Florida Senate as he was the sole candidate to file in a special election to succeed Bobby Powell. The move was done as part of a "seat swap" while Powell runs for Bernard's seat on the Palm Beach County Commission.[6]
Personal life and career
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (November 2019) |
Bernard holds a Juris Doctor with honors from University of Florida Levin College of Law. He earned a teaching fellowship for legal research and writing. Bernard was a member of the University of Florida Trial Team that participated in national competitions. After passing the Florida Bar examinations, Bernard earned an Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida in 2003.
References
edit- ^ "Representative Mack Bernard". myfloridahouse.gov. Florida House of Representatives. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
- ^ "Mack Bernard Official Site". Retrieved July 17, 2012.
- ^ Derby, Kevin (July 31, 2012). "SD 27: Two Dem State Reps Battle for Open Florida Seat in Palm Beach County". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ^ Stapleton, Christine (August 18, 2012). "After recount, Clemens defeats Bernard by 17 votes in Florida Senate District 27". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ^ Calhoun, Ryan (September 17, 2012). "Provisional ballots to be counted in Mack Bernard, Jeff Clemens Senate race". WPTV-TV. Archived from the original on October 30, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ^ "'So thankful': Mack Bernard coasts into Florida Senate seat unopposed". floridapolitics.com. June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
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