The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter–

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

DEFEATED Free National Movement candidate Greg Gomez intends to move on with his life with his first order of business being to find employment to take care of his family.

Mr Gomez, who was beaten by his cousin Renardo Curry (PLP) in Monday’s historic by-election for the North Abaco seat, spoke to The Tribune outside his home in Murphy Town about how he felt after Monday’s crushing defeat.

“Oh I’m feeling wonderful,” he said with a smile before admitting that the results were disappointing.

“The outcome of the election was a bit of a disappointment, but me and my family, we’re still intact and we’re doing great.

“As to my plans now, I was rejected the offer of serving the people of North Abaco and my immediate plans is now just to take care of my family. So starting tomorrow, I will be out looking for a job, in search of work.”

Mr Gomez had been the centre of several issues that mainly confronted his eligibility to run in the North Abaco constituency. More questions were raised when news hit the airwaves that Mr Gomez had been ordered in 2007 to pay more than $12,000 to a US federal credit union. It is also noted that the debt was not mentioned on the nomination declaration submitted by Mr Gomez on September 26.

Those issues aside, Mr Gomez was supported by the FNM and on the eve of the bye-election, said he was still confident of his chances to win the North Abaco seat that had been represented by former prime minister Hubert Ingraham for 35 years.

On Monday, after the 3,887 ballots were counted, Mr Curry was declared the winner with 2,367 of the total number of votes from 12 polling stations. Mr Gomez got 1,513 votes with Bahamas Constitution Party leader Ali McIntosh securing seven votes in all.

Mr Gomez beat Mr Curry in four of the 12 polling stations, which included Treasure Cay and Cooper’s Town. However, it was not enough as Curry took the remaining eight polling divisions and won by 854 votes.

When asked if there was a likelihood of him seeking nomination in 2017, he said: “There’s always that possibility that you will see me in the five years.”

“I am an FNM and I will continue to work with the FNM organization and the North Abaco constituency,” Mr Gomez said.