Mr. Russell told The Bahama Journal that he was pursuing a higher calling and was grateful that he had the opportunity to represent the more than 4,000 people who reside in the Eight Mile Rock Constituency.
“I am presently involved full time in the Christian Ministry,” he said on Monday.
The MP is now leading the congregation of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Eight Mile Rock.
“I believe I would have served my time after having represented the constituency for two consecutive terms and I would have accomplished perhaps 90 percent of what I wanted to accomplish in public service,” he said.
“I feel a person has to know when his season in one particular area has come to an end. There are other callings or seasons that would be open up to him. At this time I feel the call for me to pursue full time ministry.
Asked whether he felt a new season was beginning for FNM leader and former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, Mr. Russell responded, “Ingraham ended his season prematurely. If his season were not ended, there would not be a call for Ingraham to return and that’s because his season was not ended.”
Mr. Russell first ran for the FNM in 1987 in the West End Constituency, but lost to incumbent Moses Hall.
He won in Eight Mile Rock in 1997 and 2002 and is one of eight FNM MPs in the House of Assembly.
Professionally, Mr. Russell has worked as an airline agent, serving with Delta Airlines prior to becoming a manager with Air Florida and subsequently manager of Gulf Air.
On Monday, said he understands that there are four people seeking the FNM’s Eight Mile Rock nomination.
The revelation that Mr. Russell will not seek re-election was made on the party’s website following Mr. Ingraham’s visit to Grand Bahama on the weekend to meet with three of the party’s six constituency associations on the island.
The party said Mr. Ingraham met on Saturday evening with the Pineridge and Eight Mile Rock Constituency associations and met with the Marco City Constituency Association on Sunday afternoon.
The party also said that former Pineridge MP, C.A. Smith will not be offering himself as a candidate in the election.
The Bahama Journal
