Two Republicans in primary seek to challenge state Sen. Berman in November

Two Republicans with “America First”' at the forefront of their campaigns are duking it out in an Aug. 23 primary for the chance to challenge Democratic state Sen. Lori Berman this November.

Steve Byers of Delray Beach and William Wheelen of Wellington are running for the newly drawn Senate District 26, which covers the east coast from Boynton Beach to the northern part of Boca Raton, and out to the western boundary of Palm Beach County, including the Glades.

Byers – who calls himself as a "serial entrepreneur" holding the titles of a beekeeper, an insurance claims adjuster and the founder of Hilltop Christian Fellowship in Monticello – has his sights set on the state legislative seat with inflation, election integrity and education at the top of his priorities.

More: The ultimate Palm Beach County voters guide to the 2022 primary election

More: The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board's Florida Primary Endorsements

More: Don’t say ‘drop box’: Why mail voting in Florida is more complicated, constrained in 2022

He said he decided to run to "see a change in the establishment." Byers added that his professional background gives him knowledge of the insurance industry, an issue that he would like to tackle if elected to the statewide office. But he thinks the top issue during the next legislative session will be election integrity, particularly if things don't go smoothly at the polls this year.

One way to bolster voter confidence, he said, is to allow supervisors of elections to know how a voter cast their ballot, if the official needed to "validate a ballot." Byers likened his idea to the relationship between a banker and their customer. Currently, voters' choices are secret and untraceable, with identifying information confirmed before a voter receives their ballot.

Wheelen, a retired stock trader, wants to address school security and parental rights in schools. He thinks abortion will be the top issue during the next legislative session. As a practicing Catholic, he told The Palm Beach Post in an interview that his views on abortion are “conflicting,” noting that he agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to leave the legality of abortion up to states, but also felt abortion up to 15 weeks was “fair.” Above all, he said, he supports making adoption easier.

“I don’t believe in murdering babies. However, I’m also practical. I do know there are other sides to issues,” he said. “I’m trying to remain neutral and listen to the other sides of these arguments and make an informed decision.”

Wheelen had never run for office before and up until June. Wheelen had sought to become the Republican challenger to Congresswoman Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democratic incumbent, because he said he didn’t want Frankel to run unopposed. Now that more candidates have stepped up, he said he switched to the state Senate race for the same reason, to offer a challenge to Berman.

Wheelen said he really started to become involved in politics in 2016, helping Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign as well as other statewide Republicans.

Berman, the sole Democrat in this race, will be on the ballot in November.

Prior to redistricting, Berman represented the former District 31, which covered the east coast from Lake Worth Beach to Delray Beach. This was the second-largest state Senate district in Palm Beach County. District 26 now has more than 389,000 voters as of June, the largest of the county’s four state Senate districts. There are 163,000 Democrats, nearly 108,000 Republicans and almost 110,000 voters with no party affiliation.

The Palm Beach Post performed a criminal background check on every candidate, including the incumbents. The Post is reporting any criminal charges filed and the outcome of the cases since January 2012, even when they did not result in a conviction.

About Steve Byers

Age and residence: 54, Delray Beach.

Top campaign priorities: Election integrity, property insurance, HOAs and "keeping Florida free."

Professional history: Byers is the founder of Hilltop Christian Fellowship in Monticello, runs his own insurance claims business and is a beekeeper.

Political background: This is Byers' first run for public office.

Education: High school degree; studied computer engineering for 3.5 years at Virginia Tech

Criminal history: None.

Endorsements: Restore Liberty, Stand for Health Freedom and the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida.

Finances: Byers has loaned himself $1,800 in his state Senate campaign.

About William Wheelen

Age and residence: 68, Wellington.

Top campaign priorities: School security and parental rights in schools.

Professional history: Wheelen has been retired for six years after a decadeslong career in the financial industry as a stock trader.

Political background: Until June, Wheelen was running for Congress to challenge U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel. Wheelen has also served as a Republican Party committeeman.

Education: High school degree; 1.5 years in community college studying landscape architecture and accounting.

Criminal history: None.

Endorsements: Wheelen lists endorsements that he received while he was running for Congress, including from BlakPAC, a right-leaning organization that stands for “Black Latin Asian Knowledge,” and former Israel Ambassador David Friedman.

Finances: In his bid for Congress, Wheelen raised $31,751.73 between January and March of this year, half of which was self-funded. For his state Senate campaign, Wheelen raised $6,825: $5,025 was a loan and $1,000 was from his Congressional campaign.

Hannah Morse covers consumer issues for The Palm Beach Post. Drop a line at hmorse@pbpost.com, call 561-820-4833 or follow her on Twitter @mannahhorse.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Two Republicans in Florida primary to challenge state Sen. Lori Berman