19 Facts About Eleanor Sobel

Eleanor Sobel was born on February 11,1946 and is a Democratic member of the Florida State Senate, representing the 33rd District, which includes Davie, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, and Pembroke Pines in southeastern Broward County, since 2012, previously representing the 31st District from 2008 to 2012.

Eleanor Sobel was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Brooklyn College, graduating with a degree in history in 1967.

Eleanor Sobel then attended the City University of New York, where she received a master's degree in social studies education in 1968, and Columbia University, receiving a master's degree in learning disabilities in 1975.

In 1976, Sobel moved to Florida, where she worked as a school teacher and a community activist, working on the campaigns of mayoral candidate Mara Giulanti and City Commission candidate Kenneth A Gottlieb, who would later go on to serve in the Florida House of Representatives with Sobel.

When Suzanne Gunzburger resigned from the Hollywood City Commission following her election to the Broward County Commission, Eleanor Sobel's unique approach through more than 1,000 signatures supporting her appointment was a first time approach to an open appointed seat and was elected by the City Commission to replace Gunzburger on November 20,1992.

Eleanor Sobel served as Vice Mayor of Hollywood from 1996 to 1997.

When incumbent State Representative Fred Lippman declined to seek another term in 1998, Eleanor Sobel ran to succeed him in the 100th District, which included Hallandale Beach and Hollywood in southern Broward County.

Eleanor Sobel faced Arthur Palamara, Mike Mallor, and Doria Bonham-Yeaman in the Democratic primary, which served as the general election because no other candidates filed, and a contentious election, largely between Sobel and Palamara, soon followed.

Eleanor Sobel campaigned on reducing class sizes, providing funding for pre-school programs, reforming HMO practices, providing health care for the working poor, and reducing crime by increasing victims' rights and expanding after-school programs and neighborhood crime watch organizations.

Eleanor Sobel was re-elected without opposition in 2002 and 2004, and could not seek another term in 2006 due to term limits.

When State Senator Steven Geller was unable to seek re-election, Eleanor Sobel ran to succeed him in the 31st District, which was based in Broward County, and submitted her resignation from the School Board.

Eleanor Sobel won the Democratic primary uncontested, and faced Juan Selaya, the Republican nominee, in the general election.

Eleanor Sobel served as a champion for elderly reform through improving the practices and procedures for assisted living facilities.

Eleanor Sobel was a strong proponent of the Affordable Health Care Act.

Eleanor Sobel is a strong advocate for animal rights and protections especially greyhounds.

Eleanor Sobel successfully passed the Victoria Q Gaetz Greyhound Protection Act in the Florida Senate that would report greyhound injuries but the bill died in the Florida House of Representatives.

Also in 2016, Eleanor Sobel sponsored SB498, which decriminalized co-habitation by removing the prohibition against unmarried couples living together.

On December 4,2015, Eleanor Sobel announced that she would run for Mayor of Hollywood in 2016, confirming speculation that began shortly after Mayor Peter Bober announced he would not seek re-election.

Eleanor Sobel currently contributes to the Sun Sentinel South Florida 100 influential leaders opinion panel on issues of importance.