Port of Palm Beach board member Deandre Poole, a Democrat, faces newcomer and Republican Ted Sarandis. Poole is seeking re-election in hopes of representing Group 5. Sarandis is making his first bid for elective office.
Poole defeated comfortably defeated Taniel Koushakjian in the August primary while Sarandis was unopposed.
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. The deadline to register has passed. Early voting is from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. Vote-by-mail ballot are due at the Supervisor of Elections headquarters by Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.
The Palm Beach Post sent questionnaires to the candidates. The following previews were compiled from the candidates' answers in those questionnaires.
Some were edited for length.
What does the office do, what does it control?
The Port of Palm Beach Commission is an independent special district governed by five commissioners, who serve four-year terms and are elected by voters within the Port District.
Port of Palm Beach district boundary map
Why this race matters
The Port of Palm Beach Commission governs a major public entity that oversees port operations, approves multimillion-dollar spending decisions and helps shape economic development, trade and cruise activity in Palm Beach County. The race presents voters with a choice between an incumbent focused on growth and expansion and a challenger emphasizing oversight, transparency and government reform.
Candidate bios
Deandre Poole
∎ Age: 46
∎ Occupation: Instructor and Area Studies Coordinator at Florida Atlantic University; pastor of First Church of God in Christ in West Palm Beach.
∎ Education: Ph.D. in Communications and Culture from Howard University.
∎ Voting record: Incumbent Port of Palm Beach commissioner representing Group 5. Has served as vice chair of the Port Commission since 2022 and says he has helped oversee multimillion-dollar budgets, labor negotiations and strategic planning.
∎ Campaign website: pooleforport.com
∎ Top three campaign priorities: Growing the Port of Palm Beach as an economic engine; investing in infrastructure improvements and future expansion projects; and expanding cruise operations to attract additional cruise ships and visitors.
∎ Why should people vote for you?: Poole says his knowledge of the port's operations and record during his first term make him the best choice for re-election. He cites record financial performance, more than $13 million in state funding, completion of a $36 million infrastructure project, reduced truck wait times, increased revenue, reduced insurance costs, strong audits and a record $7 billion economic impact.
∎ Community involvement and service: Pastor of First Church of God in Christ; vice chair of the Port of Palm Beach Commission; governing board member of the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Agency; chair of the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board; board secretary of the Scholastic Achievement Foundation of Palm Beach County; member of the School District's Diversity and Equity Committee; former vice chair of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party; former president of the FAU faculty union; and former member or chair of several local advisory boards and committees.
∎ Experience that prepared them for office: Poole points to more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education, labor relations, nonprofit work and public service. He says his tenure as a university professor, union president, community leader and Port commissioner has prepared him to oversee budgets, labor negotiations, strategic planning and economic development initiatives.
∎ What they hear from voters: Poole's campaign focuses on protecting taxpayers, growing the local economy, creating jobs and ensuring the port continues to expand. He says residents want the port to remain a strong economic driver while pursuing infrastructure improvements, increasing efficiency and expanding cruise operations.
Ted Sarandis
Sarandis chose not to fill out a questionnaire for The Post.
According to his campaign website:
∎ He supports the passage of Amendment 3, which would expand homestead tax exemptions, reduce future growth in some property tax assessments and place new constitutional restrictions on how certain property tax revenues may be used.
“I fully support the November property tax amendment and continue to support Governor DeSantis’ original plan to eliminate property taxes statewide!,” Sarandis says on hiw website.
∎ In an "About Ted" section on his website, he says he is a longtime broadcaster, property manager and Republican activist A graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School, he spent decades as a radio and television talk show host and sports broadcaster in Boston and New York before moving to Palm Beach County in 2008. He describes himself as a political outsider focused on traditional conservative values and says he is not a career politician.
∎ Sarandis points to his experience in media, real estate, labor relations and public service as qualifications for office. Following the Sept. 11 attacks, he volunteered extensively in support of military personnel, veterans and their families. He also served 22 years in state guard units in two states, retiring in 2024 with the rank of major, and was active for years in the Civil Air Patrol.
∎ Sarandis' plan for the Port: According to his website, Sarandis says the Port of Palm Beach needs greater transparency, accountability and public oversight. Among his priorities are a public forensic audit by an independent accounting firm, reducing spending, preventing the port from levying taxes on residents and instituting eight-year term limits for commissioners.
Key differences/issues
Experience vs. change: Poole campaigns on his record overseeing port budgets, infrastructure projects and recent growth, while Ted Sarandis is running as an outsider focused on reform and increased public oversight.
Growth vs. accountability: Poole's priorities include expanding cruise operations, attracting new tenants and investing in infrastructure. Sarandis emphasizes a forensic audit, spending cuts, term limits, geographic representation and greater transparency.
View of the port's future: Poole argues the port is on the right track after achieving record financial performance and a $7 billion economic impact. Sarandis contends the port needs more scrutiny and accountability before moving forward with additional initiatives.
Campaign money and endorsements
Poole
∎ Key endorsements: County Commissioner Gregg Weiss; Royal Palm Beach Vice Mayor Sylvia Sharps; Belle Glade Vice Mayor Joaquin Almazan; Port Commissioner Blair Ciklin; West Palm Beach Commissioner Joe Peduzzi; School Board member Marcia Andrews; former County Commissioner Addie Greene; former Wellington Mayor Bob Margolis; former School Board member Debra Robinson; former Port Commissioner Peyton McArthur; Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance; AFL-CIO; SEIU; Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association; and the Democratic Black Caucus of Palm Beach County.
∎ Top campaign donors: Poole said his campaign is primarily funded by small-dollar donors and businesses that support his leadership and service. He anticipates spending between $30,000 and $40,000 on the campaign but did not identify specific major contributors.
Election dates to know
∎ Oct. 19-Nov. 1: Early voting. For early voting sites, go here
∎ Oct. 22 (5 p.m.): Deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot
∎ Nov. 3: General Election (polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.)
∎ Nov. 3 (7 p.m.): Vote-by-mail ballots due at Supervisor of Elections headquarters
Go to the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections website at VotePalmBeach.gov for all voting information.
This story was created by Palm Beach Post editors with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information-gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Port of Palm Beach pits incumbent vs. GOP ex-radio, TV talk show host
