BY CHRISTOPHER VARGAS
Among the many items on the general election ballot this November are two races for seats on the Port of Palm Beach Commission.
Voters in the Port of the Palm Beach District, which includes a wide swath of central Palm Beach County, including most of the western communities, will choose from two candidates running for each of the two seats.
In the race for the Group 2 seat, Commissioner Varisa Lall Dass, a Democrat, is seeking a full term after being appointed to a vacant seat on the board two years ago. She is being challenged by Republican candidate Ted Sarandis.
In the race for the Group 3 seat, longtime incumbent Commissioner Dr. Jean Landfair Enright, a Democrat, is seeking re-election, challenged by Republican candidate Roderick Clarke.
GROUP 2
Varisa Lall Dass — A Palm Beach County native and the Democrat in the Group 2 race, Lall Dass currently serves as a port commissioner and works as a partner with the law firm Kelley Kronenberg, specializing in all areas of first-party property insurance defense. She handles litigation involving homeowners’ claims, mold remediation and disputes concerning assignment of benefits. She is a graduate of the Stetson University College of Law, as well as the University of Florida and the University of South Florida.
Lall Dass became the Group 2 port commissioner in December 2022, following her roles as the port’s representative on the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Transportation Planning Agency and as a member of the port’s Independent Audit Budget Committee. She noted that it was under her leadership that the Port of Palm Beach tripled its net profit to $3 million in 2023. Following this year, it is her belief that the port is set to look forward to a historic $6 million net profit gain.
“This matters because we are the only government entity in Palm Beach County that doesn’t levy taxes,” Lall Dass said. “We generate the revenue we need to pay our bills, so taxpayers don’t have to. But this requires we keep commissioners like me, who understand our economic models and how to generate the revenue we need to continue to be self-operating.”
She believes the port is excelling in attracting new tenants, creating jobs and enhancing security measures. She said that under her leadership, advanced cybersecurity protocols have been implemented and kept up to date. Additionally, a full-time officer from the Riviera Beach Police Department has been brought on board, while collaboration continues with Homeland Security, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and the port’s private security firm.
She would like for the port to entertain building a hotel or restaurant. “There are ways to construct a hotel/restaurant, separate from TSA screening, where the community can come to enjoy the port,” Lall Dass said. “This would be done similarly to how airports have restaurants and other shopping options in a public, separate area from TSA screening and boarding entry.”
She feels that introducing new ideas is essential for bringing about change at the port. “A hotel and cruise ships are the next addition to our current economic models. Furthermore, what we do at the port isn’t Democratic or Republican. It’s about competence to make the money to pay for ourselves, so that voters don’t have to in the form of taxes,” Lall Dass said.
Lall Dass feels that she is the candidate who truly understands the port and its economic models needed to be successful.
“I am the only candidate who can answer basic questions like ‘what is the port budget’ and ‘what are the port’s top economic generators.’ Prior to serving as commissioner, I served on two port committees, attended all port meetings, and knew exactly what we were trying to accomplish at the port,” she said. “I took the time to learn this job, and there’s a reason the majority of the commission decided to appoint me to serve alongside them as commissioner.”
This is why she believes that voters should vote for her.
“I would just encourage voters to vote for the only person who can keep money in your pocket and knows how to continue generating the revenue we need to be self-operating. And that candidate is me,” Lall Dass said.
Learn more about Varisa Lall Dass at www.votevarisa.com.
Ted Sarandis — The Group 2 Republican candidate, Sarandis has been a resident of Palm Beach County for more than 17 years, currently residing in Westlake. Sarandis has a strong educational background, graduating from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. He is self-employed in property management, overseeing rental properties owned and managed by him and his wife, Mary-Ellen, a successful attorney. Before relocating to Palm Beach County, Sarandis spent many years as a radio and television talk show host and a college basketball play-by-play commentator in Boston and New York.
After 9/11, Sarandis served as a State Guard soldier for 22 years across two states. The State Guard are official state military reserve units that assist the U.S. Army National Guard in 22 states. Starting his service as a private, Sarandis earned numerous awards and commendations, eventually rising to the rank of Major (SC) in 2017 before receiving an honorable discharge from the South Carolina State Guard in March 2024. In addition to his military service, he was a senior member of the Civil Air Patrol for many years and continues to support various charities, nonprofits and community activities.
“I have experience in communications and will deliver information to the public about what is going on at the port,” Sarandis said. “I am also trained in securing vulnerable areas as a result of my time with the State Guard. Confidence has been placed in me for this important position by both Lt. General (Ret.) Jack Stultz, former Chief U.S. Army Reserve, and former Congressman Allen West, also retired military, who recognize the importance of port security to our nation. I also have the support of Lydia Maldonado and the Latino Republicans of the Palm Beaches, a grassroots organization that I interact with providing outreach to conservative Latinos, of which there are many in the district.”
Sarandis believes the port is performing well financially but said that there are many areas for improvement. His priorities include enhancing security, opposing any taxes and advocating for a public forensic audit of the port’s financial operations. Given the worldwide reports and accusations of drug, weapon and human trafficking within the port industry, Sarandis is committed to eliminating these dangers by implementing stricter security protocols to protect the port from such activities.
If elected, Sarantis noted that he would be the only commissioner who lives in the western communities and plans to look out for the needs of local residents, not just those on the coast. However, he also believes that the port must do more for its host community of Riviera Beach. “If elected, I will bring dollars to the city to beautify the areas surrounding the port, increase opportunity for local business and give the residents days off from the constant railroad traffic,” Sarandis said.
As for cruises, Sarandis said, “The port spends millions of dollars each year propping up the Margaritaville cruise line marketing campaign. If elected, I would demand that the cruise line give residents a 20 percent discount on all cruises.”
Sarandis added that he would bring much-needed political balance as the only Republican on a commission that has been controlled by Democrats for decades.
“I am an honest person who wants to look out for the folks,” Sarandis said. “I am not a career politician who is using this as a steppingstone to advance their career. At this stage in my life, I think my skills in communications, security, budgets, contract negotiations, as well as being active in local civic matters and conservative causes, and my engagement with the Latino community, make me uniquely qualified to bring integrity, political balance and community improvements to the port.”
Learn more about Ted Sarandis at www.voteted.net.
GROUP 3
Roderick Clarke — The Republican candidate for the Group 3 seat, Clarke said he brings a wealth of experience as a retired gunnery sergeant and a leader in port operations worldwide. He believes his background makes him the ideal choice for the position.
Clarke’s background begins as an immigrant, arriving in the United States at the age of 17. After graduating from John I. Leonard High School, Clarke joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served for more than 20 years, during both peacetime and wartime. He also took on the role of port manager, overseeing security for Naha Port in Okinawa, Japan. His experience spans from North Carolina to the coast of West Africa, covering a range of skills in leadership, training, port operations and engineering construction. Clarke now serves as the pastor at Grace Place Church in Lantana, organizing events where food and clothing are donated to area residents in need.
Clarke believes that the port is thriving under the leadership of Executive Director Michael Meekins.
“He has organized the team to boast revenue of more than $3 million in excess,” Clarke said. “I want to keep Mr. Meekins at the Port of Palm Beach to bring in more tenants. More options on cruise ships to offer more than a weekend getaway. A hotel and restaurant with world-class service. An inlet port in the Glades to provide more labor jobs.”
Clarke also hopes that the port can help bring more affordable housing and groceries for all, and a stable economy for the future.
“I will bring in better security at the port with drone capacity,” he added.
Clarke wishes to lead while fostering growth, stability, leadership and accountability.
He is also in favor of term limits. “My opponent has been on the Port of Palm Beach for more than 20 years,” Clarke said. “There should have been term limits put in place years ago to prevent career political figures from staying in office until they are irrelevant.”
His key goals include supporting the development of a future inland port, implementing strict term limits for commissioners, and ensuring the safe and successful operation of cruise lines and other businesses.
Learn more about Roderick Clarke at www.roderickclarkeforpalmbeach.com.
Dr. Jean Landfair Enright — First elected to the Port of Palm Beach Commission in November 2004, Enright serves as the current Group 3 commissioner and is running for re-election. With 20 years of experience, she said she brings a deep understanding of port operations, federal security regulations, and maintains strong relationships with both industry and government officials, supported by her educational background.
That background includes a bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee University, a master’s degree from Howard University and a doctoral degree from the Catholic University of America. In 2014, Enright was recognized in Legacy Magazine’s Black History Month issue for her dedication to community involvement. In addition, she’s had previous experience in having worked as a university administrator, public school administrator, university instructor and teacher.
“As a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of the USA, I have served on the board of directors and also as a Troop Leader. For several years, I have served as the treasurer of the Palm Beach County Caucus of Black Elected Officials, a member of the Martin Luther King Jr. Coordinating Committee and also a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church,” Enright said.
Enright believes the port is “financially sound” and is committed to upholding its responsibilities to meet expectations and drive improvements. She aims to ensure that the port can adapt to new trading opportunities, fostering diversity and supporting the growth of regional manufacturing clusters, supply chains and logistical businesses.
“I want to engage community leaders in developing and creating partnerships that will provide the educational advancements needed to cultivate the future industry leaders and workforce,” she said. “I would like to expand our tenant services to include trade route services in Haiti and new Caribbean areas,” Enright said, adding that she would also like to see the port’s charter changed with regard to how vacant seats are filled.
Enright would like voters to vote for her because she brings, “integrity, honesty, leadership, professionalism, 20 years of port experience and vast knowledge of port operations.”
She added that her experience as a member of the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Business Development Board has given her valuable insights into the county’s issues and initiatives. This background has also equipped her, as a governing board member, to advance new business opportunities and projects that will strengthen the Port of Palm Beach as a key economic engine for the region.
“I am also well-rounded because of my involvement with local chambers of commerce, civic organizations, youth groups and community leaders. Voters should expect the best in public service, which I have and always will provide,” Enright said.
