Lake Worth Beach names Elizabeth Smith to fill District 1 seat
Elizabeth Smith, a 27-year-old teacher, was sworn in Monday to fill the final four months of Sarah Malega's District 1 term on the Lake Worth Beach City Commission.
Nov
12
Thursday
2026
Lake Worth Beach has a new city commissioner. Elizabeth Smith was sworn in Monday morning to fill the District 1 seat left vacant by Sarah Malega’s resignation, and she will serve the final four months of the term.
Smith, a 27-year-old teacher, was appointed by the commission at a special meeting Monday, Nov. 9, at City Hall. City Clerk Melissa Coyne administered the oath of office. The appointment came a day before the qualifying period opened for the March 9, 2027 election, the deadline the city charter set for filling the seat.
The seat covers much of the city’s southwest section. Smith will serve until certification of the March 2027 election, and she plans to run for a full term in March.
Two candidates were considered for the appointment, Smith and Jill Karlin, according to the meeting agenda. Smith had already announced her candidacy for the March election, and Malega said she supports Smith and had been advising her.