Meet Bobby

Bobby Powell Jr. is a lifetime Palm Beach County resident who has dedicated his life to giving back to his community.

Since 2016, he has served as a Democratic member of the Florida Senate representing many municipalities in Palm Beach County. Powell has served on many Florida Senate Legislative Committees, including as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, member of the Appropriations Committee, Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, the Committee on Banking and Insurance, the Committee on Criminal Justice, the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, the Committee on Ethics and Elections, the Select Committee on Resiliency, the Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight, and the Joint Legislative Budget Commission.

Over the course of his tenure as State Senator, Powell successfully brought back more than $125 million in appropriations to Palm Beach County to improve the quality of life of residents and business owners alike. Notably, Senator Powell also served as the Senate Democratic Leader Pro-Tempore, Chair of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus and Chair of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation.

Prior to serving on the Florida Senate, Powell served two terms in the Florida House of Representatives, representing parts of West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Lake Park, Mangonia Park, Lake Worth Beach, Lantana, Boynton Beach and Delray Beach from 2012 to 2016.

Senator Powell’s work focused on common-sense gun safety reforms, health care, and criminal justice reform. He also joined forces with several of his colleagues to advocate for raising the state’s minimum wage.

Bobby Powell Jr. has also dedicated his time volunteering and giving back to his community. Sen. Powell currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Urban League’s New Urban Development Corporation, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee and is the incoming President of the Palm Beach County Caucus of Black Elected Officials. He has previously served on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army NW Community Center, the Leadership Palm Beach County Alumni Relations Board, and the Riviera Beach Library Advisory Board.

Sen. Powell lives in West Palm Beach and is married to Whitney Powell, Esq and they have one child. He holds a Master’s of Science in Urban & Regional Planning from Florida State University and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Journalism (public relations) from Florida A&M University.

A Life of Service

Leadership Positions

Senate Democratic Leader Pro-Tempore (2020–2022)
State House Representative, District 88 (2012–2016)
Chair of the Florida Caucus of Black State Legislators (2020–2022)
Chair of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation (2016–2018)
Member of the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force (2023–Present)
Leader of Florida Legislative Black Caucus (2020–2022)

Community Advocate

Palm Beach County Caucus of Black Elected Officials, Incoming President
Urban League’s New Urban Development Corporation, Board Member
Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee, Board Member
Advisory Board of the Salvation Army NW Community Center, Board Member
Leadership Palm Beach County Alumni Relations Board, Board Member
Riviera Beach Library Advisory Board, Board Member