Although the boundaries commission has not yet been appointed for the next general elections, the Free National Movement has tentatively chosen the vast majority of its candidates for those elections.
The leader of the FNM, former prime minister, Hubert Ingraham, who is the incumbent for North Abaco, has met with members of FNM branches in many constituencies and has received their endorsements of the candidates to carry the party's banner in those elections scheduled for 2007.
As promised, many of the candidates are new faces, having not contested elections previously.
Just last week, Mr. Ingraham said that he had met with 23 of the 26 New Providence constituencies.
"We are most pleased with the prospective candidates who have come forward," he said at a Blue Hills Constituency meeting. "We will put forward a good team representative of the Bahamian population."
Well-respected attorney Michael Barnett has received the nomination for Fort Charlotte, and Reece Chipman, the grandson of Bahamian legendary entertainer, John "Chippie" Chipman, will run in St. Thomas More.
Present Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR) executives Charles Maynard and Fenton Neymour have also reportedly agreed to run on the FNM ticket. Mr. Maynard has been nominated for the Adelaide Constituency and Mr. Neymour is set to run in South Beach.
As reported by the Bahama Journal last week, former FNM deputy leader and former Blue Hills MP Dion Foulkes will run in the Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay (MICAL) Constituency. His brother, Michael Foulkes, has secured the FNM's nomination for Golden Gates.
Lacentha Higgs, an educator, has been chosen to run in Fox Hill, and Elma Campbell, an attorney, will be the candidate for Elizabeth.
Party Chairman Desmond Bannister will run in Carmichael; former deputy leader Sidney Collie is the candidate for Blue Hills, and Dr. Hubert Minnis will run in Delaporte.
Caron Shepherd, president of the National FNM's Women's Association, has been nominated to run in St. Cecilia; Dr. Earl Deveaux, a former FNM Cabinet Minister, will run in Marathon; Loretta Butler Turner, the granddaughter of former governor general the late Sir Milo Butler, will run in St. Margaret; and attorney Branville McCartney in Bamboo Town.
Brensil Rolle, the former director of Road Traffic, is being considered for Garden Hills; and attorney Michael Scott is tentatively the candidate for Yamacraw, although FNM sources said on Sunday this could change.
Romona Farquharson, an attorney, has secured the FNM's nomination for Kennedy; Johnley Ferguson, who narrowly lost the MICAL constituency in 2002 to Minister V. Alfred Gray, will carry the party's banner in South Eleuthera; and Gladys Sands, the daughter of former parliamentarian Oscar Johnson, will run for the FNM in Cat Island.
Shanrice Woodside-Rolle, who owns Western Air, will be the FNM's candidate for North Andros and the Berry Islands; and Ella Lewis, an educator, is the candidate for Farm Road.
Former Independent Larry Cartwright, who rejoined the FNM earlier this year, will run for the Long Island seat as the FNM candidate; and Deputy Leader Brent Symonette will seek to win Montagu again.
It is understood that the FNM is hoping to run a member of the youth arm, the Torchbearers, in the Bain and Grants Town Constituency.
Bahamas Ambassador to the United States Joshua Sears, who was appointed to that post by then prime minister Ingraham, is expected to run for the party in Exuma.
Some other constituencies like North Eleuthera, South Andros and South Abaco remain undecided.
In Grand Bahama, it is understood that there is much jockeying still going on.
Former Senator Pauline Cooper-Nairn is expected to run in Eight Mile Rock; attorney Fred Smith is eyeing Marco City; Kay Smith is poised to run in Pineridge; and incumbent Ken Russell will run again in High Rock.
Former FNM Minister David Thompson has also expressed an interest in being one of the Grand Bahama candidates.
Mr. Ingraham, who has promised to begin announcing candidates this month, said last week that the "good team" the FNM is putting forward is "eager, ready and prepared to serve".
"I tell you we are most pleased with the prospective candidates who have come forward," he said.
The Bahama Journal
