Word this morning that there may be a battle shaping up over who will represent the ruling Progressive Labour Party in constituency #5, Hamilton East.
Derrick Burgess today confirmed he will not be contesting for the seat in the February 18th national poll.
According to a well placed source, his successor was slated to Pastor Leroy Bean. Pastor Bean you may recall is currently government’s Gang Violence Reduction Coordinator.
However, we’re told some members of the PLP leadership are not in support of the move and have reportedly expressed the view that a younger candidate should be selected. That younger candidate has been identified to us as former national top order batter, Steven Outerbridge.
The latest update from reliable sources has revealed that Steven Outerbridge has resigned his attempt to run in C-5 run off against Pastor Leroy Bean.
Other names being mentioned as possible contenders are Damon Wade, who TNN understands has tried running in C2 and C15, and Ariana Hodgson, who has already been selected as the party’s representative in constituency #25, Warwick Northeast.
Ms. Hodgson has reportedly retained legal counsel as part of her efforts to be included in the ballot to participate in a primary to select the PLP candidate in C-5. That primary reportedly slated to take place this evening.
Senior PLP officials contend the the party constitution does not allow for Ms. Hodgson to be included on the ballot as she has already been named the candidate in C-25.
TNN understands there have heated exchanges between Ms. Hodgson and the Premier with word being she may be removed as the candidate in C-25.
There are also concerns within the PLP that the surge of independent candidates could place a number of PLP held seats in jeopardy. Among them said to be:
C-2 St. George’s West
C-3 St. David’s
C-19 Pembroke West
C-31 Southampton West/Central
C-13 Devonshire North/Central.
Elsewhere it is rumoured that current Attorney General Kim Wilkerson is slated to replace Wayne Caines as the PLP candidate in C-14 Devonshire Northwest, stay tuned to TNN for further updates on these developments.
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