Frankel was member of the Florida House of Representatives for fourteen years, serving as Minority Leader of the Florida State House. She was elected Mayor of West Palm Beach, Florida, in 2003, serving two terms in office until leaving office in 2011 due to term limits. On November 6, 2012, Frankel was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 22nd congressional district; she was sworn in on January 3, 2013.