Joseph Bensmihen

Boca Raton businessman and philanthropist Joseph Bensmihen wants to give Broward voters a voice in Congress. On Thursday, Bensmihen announced his campaign for the Congressional seat currently occupied by Democrat Lois Frankel. U.S Congressional District 22 covers portions of Palm Beach and Broward. Frankel, the former mayor of West Palm Beach, rarely visits her Broward constituents. As a close ally of Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Frankel appears to take Broward voters for granted.

Bensmihen, a Republican, vowed to give all Broward voters in District 22 a voice in Washington, D.C. He told REDBROWARD, “As I talk to my neighbors and friends in the community, the one issue that keeps coming up is that our congresswoman never seems to be around and accessible, and that’s especially true for the folks I speak with in Broward.  As your member of congress I’ll be in the business of showing up for my district.”

Bensmihen told The Palm Beach Post his his top issues are protecting seniors, spurring economic growth and supporting Israel.

Bensmihen is the president of the Private Care Association of Florida. He is the past president of the Boca Raton Synagogue. But this father of four may be best known for his philanthropic work.

The David Bensmihen Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, provides scholarships to worthy candidates in need of financial assistance. According to their website, the Foundation is named after Joseph’s father, David, “who fought to gain access for his son to public educational facilities. That effort enabled Joseph to get a quality education and inspired him to help others to get educational opportunities they otherwise might not get.”

Joseph Bensmihen does not see his cerebal palsy as a handicap. “I think I’ve proven that society has the handicap and the individual has a disability,” he said. “I was born with a disability. I’m not successful because I have a disability. I’m successful because I don’t allow it to be a hindrance.