Why Delray Vice Mayor Rob Long is getting in House race to succeed late Rep. Joe Casello

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15 hours ago

DELRAY BEACH — Rob Long, a local elected official and longtime political ally of the late state Rep. Joe Casello, entered the race July 23 to succeed him in the Florida House, setting up what could be an uncontested special election in one of the state's most reliably Democratic districts.
Long, who serves as vice mayor in Delray Beach, pointed to his record on the Delray Beach City Commission as a foundation for his bid to represent the district in Tallahassee. He highlighted work on public safety contracts, infrastructure projects and efforts to shield redevelopment funding from legislative threats.
"I've fought to protect our firefighters when political attacks threatened them, and I've worked to ensure our police officers have fair contracts that keep them here," Long said. "I've delivered major infrastructure projects, like a modern water treatment facility, and secured millions through environmental litigation."
As a member of the Community Redevelopment Agency board, he said he pushed back against state-level efforts to weaken the agency, which he sees as essential to supporting affordable housing and local economic growth.
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"I've also seen the importance of local governance on local issues, and I will fight back against efforts to preempt city policy and undermine home rule," Long said.
When is the election to fill the Florida 90th House district seat?
The race to represent Florida's 90th House district — which spans parts of Delray Beach and Boynton Beach — is all but certain to remain in Democratic hands. The district is the most solidly Democratic in Palm Beach County, and so far, Long is the only candidate to file for the seat.
He enters the race with backing of every Democratic lawmaker in the county, along with endorsements from the Service Employees International Union, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council and the county's Fraternal Order of Police.
Long had already filed paperwork in February to run in 2026, when Casello would have reached his term limit. His official entry into the special election came just a day after Gov. Ron DeSantis scheduled the contests: a primary, if needed, on Sept. 30, and a general election on Dec. 9.
Because of the timing, the district will go without representation during early committee meetings for the 2026 legislative session. But it would have a seated representative by the time the full session begins next year.
"While starting after the committee weeks is not ideal, I will be in Tallahassee during that period to follow the process, meet with colleagues, and prepare legislation so I'm ready to work on day one," Long said. "I already have established relationships in the Capitol, including the full support of the Palm Beach County Legislative Democratic Delegation, and I'm confident I'll be able to represent District 90 effectively from the start."
Long's candidacy also triggers Florida's resign-to-run law, which requires him to step down from his commission seat. His resignation will become effective Dec. 8, the day before the special election.
Under the city charter, the commission is responsible for appointing a replacement to serve out the remainder of Long's term. If they cannot reach consensus after two regular meetings, a special election must be held to fill the seat.
Rob Long's resume: An engineer, environmentalist and politician
An engineer by training, Long said his professional background has shaped his approach to public service, combining technical problem-solving with a focus on practical outcomes. Before joining the commission, he served on the Palm Beach County Soil and Water Conservation District, and has since led efforts on infrastructure, environmental protection and public safety in Delray Beach.
"I've spent significant time in Tallahassee, building relationships and learning the legislative process, so I can be effective from day one," he said. "My years on the commission have honed my ability to lead, build consensus and get things done, even on contentious issues."
If elected, Long said his top priorities would include public safety, affordability and environmental protection — areas he said have shaped both his local record and his legislative outlook.
He pointed to stalled contract negotiations and partisan tensions that have affected morale among first responders, saying he would fight for fair compensation and better resources for police and fire departments. On affordability, he cited rising housing costs and Florida's property insurance crisis as pressing concerns, and said he would support efforts to crack down on industry abuses while expanding access to affordable housing.
Environmental issues would also be central to his agenda. In Delray Beach, he helped lead a class-action lawsuit over PFAS contamination — polyfluoroalkyl substances are considered "forever chemicals" — and oversaw planning for a new water treatment facility to replace the city's aging infrastructure.
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"Clean water is a basic right," he said, "and I'll continue to champion policies that protect Florida's natural resources."
Long was elected to the commission in 2023 after unseating incumbent Juli Casale. The two now serve alongside each other, following her return to the commission in a different seat earlier this year.
As he looks ahead to the state House, Long said he hopes to honor Casello, who died July 18 after suffering a severe heart attack, by continuing his advocacy for first responders — including expanding heart health screenings and reintroducing legislation the two had worked on to reduce firefighters' exposure to toxic chemicals.
Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at [e-mail] and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Delray's Rob Long enters race for Florida House District 90 seat
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