My name is Rick Roth, former State Representative from 2016 – 2024. I am a candidate for the Florida Senate District 26 election in November 2026. 

 

As a state representative, I have spent the last decade engaged in Palm Beach County public policy, as it affects agriculture in eastern Palm Beach County. One of my main reasons for seeking election as your state senator in district 26 is to protect agriculture from policies that favors development – building homes – over sustainable agriculture conservation. 

 

In summary, there are three government policy problems that is pushing agriculture out of eastern Palm Beach County: 

1. Palm Beach County zoning policy that favors development over the nursery plants and landscape industry. 

1. Efforts to change zoning on current agricultural lands from Ag preservation to development.  

1. Shortage of seasonal agricultural, construction, and tourism workers due to voluntary and involuntary exodus of many workers. 

 

As a sugarcane, vegetable, and rice farmer for 50 years, I am the advocate needed to promote and implement commonsense solutions, which will slow down the departure of critical businesses and employees that have sustained our ‘Palm Beach lifestyle’. The worst-case scenario is over-development, loss of green space, and eastern Palm Beach county becoming another ‘Broward County’.