ALEXIA COX: “There’s no better person I could ask for to succeed me,” said David Aronberg regarding the 19-year prosecutor. “She’s been an important part of my management team. PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIDA POLITICS

West Palm Beach, Fla. – History was made twice in one night when Palm Beach County Deputy assistant State Attorney Alexia Cox became the new top prosecutor on election night Nov. 5.

Cox narrowly beat private attorney Sam Stern to become Palm Beach County State Attorney, succeeding David Aronberg who decided not to seek another term. No Party candidate Adam Farkas came in a distant third.

Cox’s victory was also a win for Democrats who once again struggled as a Republican red wave swept the country, topped by President-elect Donald Trump returning to power.

With the victory, Cox, a Palm Beach native and a prosecutor for more than 18 years, became the county’s first woman and African American state attorney.

“With immense gratitude, I accept the tremendous responsibility of serving as your next State Attorney for Palm Beach County," Cox said in a statement. "From my early days to becoming a lead prosecutor, I’ve been committed to protecting our community and serving my hometown with everything I have."

Cox said she is determined more than ever to deliver justice for victims in her new role.

"I will continue my life’s work: delivering justice for victims, holding criminals accountable, and leading with transparency, integrity, and a commitment to putting our community first," she said. "This campaign was never about politics. It was about bringing people together across our community who share a vision for a fair, balanced justice system that protects every resident and family.”

Cox was in a six-way race when she won the Democratic nomination during the August primary, beating fellow Assistant State Attorney Craig Williams and prominent criminal defense attorney Gregg Lerman.

Cox, 45, began her career with the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office overseeing the Domestic Violence unit, the county courts and the Conviction Review unit after earning her law degree from the Florida State University College of Law.

She prosecuted high-profile cases including former Palm Beach Gardens police officer Nouman Raja, who was found guilty of manslaughter and attempted murder in the 2015 killing of 31-year-old Black church musician Corey Jones.

A judge handed down a 25-year prison sentence.

The incident occurred when Jones’ car broke down and he was waiting for roadside service when he was killed by Raja. The case garnered national attention as a racially motivated police-involved shooting.

"The case was so memorable because it made history in the state of Florida," she said in July. "No police officer has ever been convicted in 30 years for an on-duty shooting in the state."

Now as top prosecutor, Cox said she’s ready to go to work in her effort to make Palm Beach County one of the safest places for people to live and work.

During her campaign, she said her plans include collaborating with law enforcement to prioritize neighborhood safety, foster collaboration with community leaders and promote community trust.

Cox also wants to safeguard senior citizens by pledging to create an Elder Crimes Unit to keep the community’s most vulnerable people safe and informed.

She said her focus is on prosecuting elder abuse and exploitation while educating seniors and residents to raise awareness.

Cox said she is also focusing on fighting hate crimes by creating a Hate Crimes Unit to go after attacks on racism, antisemitism and the LGBTQ+ community.

She said hate crimes are on the rise in the county.

"Fighting hate is more important than ever," she said. "The proposed Hate Crimes Unit would be tasked with investigation and prosecuting hate crimes, supporting victims, working with law enforcement agencies to ensure these crimes are effectively addressed, and educating and engaging community members, leaders and other stakeholders."

Under Aronberg, Cox spearheaded the Conviction Review Unit which reviews claims of wrongful conviction and prioritizes fairness and equal justice for all who come into contact with the justice system.

Cox said the Palm Beach County’s Domestic Violence Unit will continue to be prioritized under her leadership with innovative solutions to prevent and address domestic violence through a program to hold alleged abusers accountable while educating victims and connecting them to community resources.

Aronberg said the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office is in good hands with Cox at the helm.

“There’s no better person I could ask for to succeed me,” Aronberg said at a press conference after the Nov. election.

“Alexcia has been a prosecutor for 19 years. She’s been an important part of my management team. And you know, it’s not a coincidence that we live in a safe community. It’s because of our strong working relationship with law enforcement. We are tough on crime in this office, but we’re also fair to defendants (and) there’s a great feeling in the office that Alexcia, as the next State Attorney, will carry on the progress we’ve made and continue moving us in the right direction.”

Cox graduated with honors from both the University of Central Florida and FSU’s Law College. While attending UCF, she was a member of the Burnett Honors College and the President’s Leadership Council.

In 2002 she received the Order of Pegasus Award from the university, the most prestigious and significant award a student can attain at the UCF, which recognizes exemplary performance in the areas of academic achievement, outstanding university involvement, leadership, and community service.

Cox currently serves on the board of directors for the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, the National Black Prosecutors Association, the National Bar Association, the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Professionalism, Criminal Law and Judicial Relations Committees.

In 2017, Cox was appointed as chair of the Florida Bar Professional Ethics Committee and served on the Florida Bar’s newest standing committee, the Committee on Mental Health and Wellness of Florida Lawyers.

In 2019, Cox was awarded the Justice Barbara Pariente Award, which recognizes people in the legal profession for their commitment to promoting women in the Palm Beach County legal community.

Cox was also named “Trailblazer of the Year” by Legacy South Florida Magazine.