An age-old event steeped in tradition, the annual election caucus of Palm Beach, is all set to be held on the upcoming Tuesday. Marking the 113th year of this democratic exercise, at least four individuals have thrown their hats in the ring for the mayoral and town council positions, with three being the sitting officials. All prospective candidates, however, have until 5 p.m. on the next day, Wednesday, to submit their documents before the qualifying period officially concludes.
The ceremony where candidates will be formally put forward for town council Groups 1 and 2, as well as the post of the Mayor, is slated to take place at 3:30 p.m. This gathering will be hosted in the Town Council Chambers at Town Hall, situated on 360 S. County Road. The broader general election is anticipated to be held on the 11th of March.
The current mayor, Danielle Moore, declared her intentions to run for re-election back in November, an announcement mirrored by her town council colleagues Julie Araskog and Ted Cooney, who are vying for the Group 1 and 2 seats. Moreover, one Dave Brooker has also shown interest in contesting for the Group 1 seat, having completed the necessary paperwork on November 26.
Moore, who is on the verge of finishing her second two-year term as mayor, reminisces her previous six-year-long service on the council. She passionately explains her feeling of an unfinished mandate as the reason propelling her towards her third term. Wide-ranging concerns, such as negotiations for a new water contract, managing traffic, dealing with congestion, and the review of the zoning code, feature prominently on her agenda.
Having lived in Palm Beach her whole life, Moore has a long history of serving the local community. Her roles have included positions as president of both the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation and the Barker Welfare Foundation, as well as being a member of the city’s Recreation Advisory Commission between 1994 and 1996 and again from 2007 to 2011. In recognition of her work, she was appointed as chairman of the commission in 2010 and later elected to the town council in 2015. Since then, Moore has been re-elected to her position in 2017 and 2019, unopposed each time, and eventually ascended to the mayor’s position in 2021, taking over from Gail Coniglio.
The other name making the rounds is that of Cooney, a Palm Beach native and a former chair of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Cooney is currently pursuing his ambition for a third two-year term on the council and is no stranger to the public, having first been elected to his Group 2 seat in 2021 subsequently winning re-election in 2023 uncontested.
In addition to his council role, Cooney currently presides over the town’s Public Safety committee and is a member of the Public Works committee. He displayed a strong resolve, acknowledging the ‘numerous challenges from traffic and development pressures and more’ that had been faced in recent years. However, demonstrating an admirable level of commitment, he stated, ‘I’m not going anywhere. This is my life, my friends, my family, and my hometown. I’m committed to working to find solutions that can protect, preserve, and restore our quality of life.’ So far, both Moore and Cooney are running in this race unopposed.
Another incumbent, attorney Julie Araskog, has shown desire to serve her fifth term in the council. A committed North End resident, Araskog chairs the town’s Ordinances, Rules & Standards Committee while also serving on the Public Safety Committee. Her initial election to the council took place in 2017, with her subsequently holding her seat through re-elections in 2019, 2021, and 2023.
Araskog expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve Palm Beach for nearly eight years, and she expressed eagerness to continue her service to both the town and its residents. Emphasizing her long-held principles, she stated, ‘My goal has always been to give a voice to our residents, fight to keep our small-town charm, and always protect our unique quality of life for residents. Listening to residents and keeping them informed before making decisions are my guiding principles.’
All the elected officials, be it mayoral or council positions, are bound to their roles for a two-year term. The municipal general election is scheduled for March 11, 2025. Subsequently, should the need arise, a runoff election has been penciled in for March 28, 2025.
While these local elections do not directly feature the national political giants like Donald Trump or the Democrat candidates, they can offer insights into the prevailing undercurrents of the broader political landscape and potential strategies for future elections.
On one hand, one can’t help but draw parallels between the dedication and tireless service of figures like Mayor Moore and the efficiency of Trump’s administration. However, the overemphasis by incumbent council members on issues such as congestion, traffic, and overpopulation possibly reflect the failings of Democrat policies on a macro level.
Indeed, local elections such as these have always been a reflection of the nation’s larger trends and sentiments. However, as dedicated public servants such as Mayor Moore recommit themselves to their posts, one can infer a resilient faith in the robust principles that leaders like Trump continually endorse.