As Election Day nears, candidates make pitch to voters at Palm Beach forum

Jodie Wagner, Palm Beach Daily News
·5 min read
Candidates (front row from right) Democrat Blair Ciklin, Port of Palm Beach Commission, Group 4; Republican Rep. Mike Caruso, Florida House, District 87, and Democratic Congresswoman Lois Frankel 22nd Congressional District seat, prepare to take part in a candidates' forum hosted by The Palm Beach Civic Association at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center on Tuesday.

With three weeks remaining until Election Day, candidates for county, state and federal offices made their pitches to voters Tuesday at a forum organized by the Palm Beach Civic Association.

Candidates from seven races for political offices that represent the town of Palm Beach, including the U.S. Congressional District, Florida House and Senate districts, and two Port of Palm Beach Commission seats, appeared at the hour-long event at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach.

More than 150 people attended the forum, which featured U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a Democrat seeking re-election to Florida’s 22nd Congressional District seat; Dan Franzese, the Republican opposing Frankel; State Rep. Mike Caruso, the Republican running to represent House District 87; State Sen. Bobby Powell Jr., the Democrat running to represent Senate District 24; Port of Palm Beach Commissioner Blair Ciklin, the Democrat defending his Group 4 commission seat; Doreen Loretta Benson, the Republican opposing Ciklin; and Roderick Oliver Clarke, the Republican running against Democrat Deandre Poole for the port commission’s Group 5 seat.

Related: Town Council OKs changes to town caucus and election qualifying dates

Ed Chase, director of intergovernmental affairs and community engagement for Palm Beach County, also appeared at the event to explain the three proposed constitutional amendments and two questions on the Nov. 8 ballot, while Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link discussed rule changes to voting by mail and new precinct numbers.

Wendy Sartory Link, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, discussed rule changes to voting by mail and other election-related matters during a Tuesday candidates' forum hosted by The Palm Beach Civic Association.
Wendy Sartory Link, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, discussed rule changes to voting by mail and other election-related matters during a Tuesday candidates' forum hosted by The Palm Beach Civic Association.

Michael Ainslie, treasurer of the Palm Beach Civic Association and a member of its Executive Committee, moderated the forum.

Candidates were given three minutes to introduce themselves and talk about what they think is important in this year’s election.

There was no debate, and candidates did not take questions, although several spoke with voters after the forum ended.

Here is a look at the candidates who attended Tuesday's forum:

Lois Frankel

U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a Democrat who is seeking re-election to Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, voiced her support for abortion rights, gun control, lowering healthcare costs and fighting climate change during a candidates' forum Tuesday.
U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a Democrat who is seeking re-election to Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, voiced her support for abortion rights, gun control, lowering healthcare costs and fighting climate change during a candidates' forum Tuesday.

A former mayor of West Palm Beach who was elected to Congress in 2012, Frankel touted her work in supporting Everglades restoration, Alzheimer's research and fall prevention, and bringing millions of dollars back to the county for programs that prevent homelessness and protect survivors of domestic violence. She also voiced her support for abortion rights, gun control, lowering healthcare costs and  fighting climate change.

"Most of the work I do in Congress does not make headlines. I helped Palm Beach keep the sand on the beach, get reimbursement for protecting the ex-President, stop the deep dredging in the Riviera Beach port, and to improve the quality of life and our environment."

Dan Franzese

Republican Dan Franzese, who is challenging Lois Frankel in the 22nd Congressional District, cited inflation and enforcing border security as campaign priorities during his appearance Tuesday at a candidates' forum in Palm Beach.
Republican Dan Franzese, who is challenging Lois Frankel in the 22nd Congressional District, cited inflation and enforcing border security as campaign priorities during his appearance Tuesday at a candidates' forum in Palm Beach.

A managing partner for a financial services firm, Franzese won the GOP nomination for the District 22 seat by 130 votes. He cited inflation and enforcing border security as campaign priorities, and he rebuked Frankel for failing to discuss or debate these issues with him.

"I decided to run for office because our country is headed in the wrong direction. The American people are suffering. The time has come for people to stand up, do something about that, and get our country back on track."

Mike Caruso

State Rep. Mike Caruso, a Republican who is seeking a third term in District 87, touted his work in helping to pass property insurance reform, patient rights laws, and recertification laws for buildings during his appearance Tuesday at a candidates' forum in Palm Beach.
State Rep. Mike Caruso, a Republican who is seeking a third term in District 87, touted his work in helping to pass property insurance reform, patient rights laws, and recertification laws for buildings during his appearance Tuesday at a candidates' forum in Palm Beach.

Running for a third term in the state House, Caruso faces a challenge from political newcomer Sienna Osta. Caruso, a certified public accountant, touted his work in helping to pass property insurance reform, patient rights laws, and recertification laws for buildings following the Surfside tragedy. He said he's also sponsored legislation addressing antisemitism and addiction, and would like to create minimum standards for school safety.

"Even though we've accomplished so much in the state of Florida, we've got a lot of work to do."

Bobby Powell

State Sen. Bobby Powell, a Democrat who is seeking reelection in District 30, said he considers affordable housing as one of the biggest challenges in Florida and in Palm Beach County.
State Sen. Bobby Powell, a Democrat who is seeking reelection in District 30, said he considers affordable housing as one of the biggest challenges in Florida and in Palm Beach County.

Powell is seeking his fifth term in the Legislature, having served a pair of two-year terms in the state House and two terms in the Senate. His opponent is Eric Ankner, a Republican who is making his first run for public office. Powell touted his experience in the Legislature and his ability to work across party lines. He said affordable housing remains one of the biggest challenges in Florida and in Palm Beach County, and he plans to work with his colleagues in the Legislature to find solutions.

"A life of service is a life that counts. When you serve people, you have the ability to impact lives."

Blair Ciklin

Democrat Blair Ciklin, who is seeking to retain his Group 4 seat on the Port of Palm Beach District Commission, voiced his support for donating dredged sand to the town and killing a mooring field that was planned for the Intracoastal Waterway near Palm Beach during a candidates' forum Tuesday.
Democrat Blair Ciklin, who is seeking to retain his Group 4 seat on the Port of Palm Beach District Commission, voiced his support for donating dredged sand to the town and killing a mooring field that was planned for the Intracoastal Waterway near Palm Beach during a candidates' forum Tuesday.

The longtime Democratic incumbent is being challenged for his Group 4 seat on the Port of Palm Beach District Commission by Republican Doreen Loretta Benson. Ciklin discussed the status of the port's 20-year master plan, which was put on a developmental pause this week, before pivoting to his support of donating dredged sand to the town, and killing a mooring field that was planned for the Intracoastal Waterway near Palm Beach.

"I think that everyone agrees that 140 boats out in the Intracoastal doesn't make a lot of sense."

Doreen Loretta Benson

Doreen Loretta Benson, who is challenging incumbent Blair Ciklin for the Port of Palm Beach Commission Group 4 seat, said she wants to redo the port's master plan, expand port capabilities and revenue to create new jobs, and upgrade the appearance of the port.
Doreen Loretta Benson, who is challenging incumbent Blair Ciklin for the Port of Palm Beach Commission Group 4 seat, said she wants to redo the port's master plan, expand port capabilities and revenue to create new jobs, and upgrade the appearance of the port.

The political newcomer is challenging incumbent Blair Ciklin for his Group 4 seat on the Port of Palm Beach District Commission. She said the commission needs to redo the port's master plan, which she calls 'woefully empty,' expand port capabilities and revenue to create new jobs, and upgrade the appearance of the port.

"If you love this country, if you believe in the Constitution, if you believe in the Bill of Rights and you're willing to stand for all of these things, and if you're willing to serve the people, then run for office."

Roderick Clarke

Republican Roderick Clarke, who is running his first political campaign, will face Democrat Deandre Poole for the Port of Palm Beach Commission Group 5 seat.
Republican Roderick Clarke, who is running his first political campaign, will face Democrat Deandre Poole for the Port of Palm Beach Commission Group 5 seat.

A Republican running his first political campaign, he will face Democrat Deandre Poole for the Group 5 seat on the Port of Palm Beach District Commission. Clarke, a pastor, spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He said the way to solve the country's problems is by electing men and women with good character and integrity.

"I'm not a career politician. I'm not a politician at all. I'm a local pastor."

The 2022 general election will be held Nov. 8. Early voting in Palm Beach County begins Monday and continues through Nov. 6.

For information, visit https://www.votepalmbeach.gov.

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Election forum: Candidates make their pitch to Palm Beach voters