Former Port Canaveral CEO McLouth to run for Port Authority seat he held for three decades

Former Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer Malcolm "Mac" McLouth this week entered the race for port commissioner in District 5.

McLouth also previously served for more than three decades as a Canaveral Port Authority commissioner — from 1967 to 1996, then from 2008 to 2010.

McLouth, a Republican from Cocoa Beach, is one of three active candidates for the District 5 seat now held by Republican Tom Weinberg of Cape Canaveral, who decided not to seek re-election to a third four-year term.

The other candidates in District 5 are Republican Robyn Hattaway of Merritt Island, an attorney; and Democrat Maurice Boudreau of Merritt Island, a real estate broker and president of the East Merritt Island Homeowners Association.

McLouth, 86, was the port's deputy executive director of business development from 1996 to 2000, then was the port's executive director and chief executive officer from 2000 to 2004.

"I've got the experience nobody else has," McLouth said, in discussing his decision to enter the race. "It seemed a natural that I would see an opportunity to be a port commissioner again. I feel that I can continue to offer service to the community. I'm excited about it."

More:County Commission candidate Hattaway moves to Canaveral Port Authority race instead

More:Linda Weinberg drops out of Canaveral Port Authority race

McLouth, a retired professional engineer, said now is "a critical time in the port's development," with expansion of facilities and increasing traffic.

McLouth said port management and port commissioners now must work to prioritize the port's growth efforts.

Weinberg announced on Feb. 2 that he would not seek re-election. On Feb. 9, Weinberg's wife, attorney Linda Weinberg of Cape Canaveral, announced her candidacy for Tom Weinberg's seat. But she dropped out of the race on March 6.

On Friday, Hattaway — who had been a candidate for Brevard County Commission in District 2 — dropped out of the County Commission race and simultaneously entered the race for Canaveral Port Authority in District 5.

Boudreau announced his candidacy on Jan. 31.

Tom Weinberg became port commissioner in 2010, defeating McLouth and Vittoria Anne Barkley in a Republican primary, then defeating Democrat Peter Nichols in the general election. Weinberg won re-election in 2014 without opposition.

More:Two-term Port Commissioner Weinberg won't seek re-election; HOA president Boudreau to run

After his defeat in the 2010 election, McLouth continued to attend Canaveral Port Authority meetings. On a number of occasions, McLouth also signed up to speak during the public comment part of the meetings.

Canaveral Port Authority District 5 includes the Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral area and parts of Merritt Island.

The salary for a port commissioner is $10,444 a year. 

Dave Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY. 

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 or dberman@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @bydaveberman.

Facebook: /dave.berman.54

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