The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement has narrowed its list of Senate hopefuls to three candidates, Dr Duane Sands, Pakeisha Parker-Edgecombe and Kenyatta Gibson, to replace former Senator John Bostwick, The Tribune understands.

FNM sources told The Tribune that the final decision will be made at this week’s executive committee meeting on Thursday.

While remaining tight lipped on the names of the Senate hopefuls, Dr Minnis said the final choice is his and he plans on making it “as soon as possible”. He also said he is meeting with his parliamentary colleagues today to get their opinions.

“While the (FNM) council would have had their regular meeting, of which I would have attended. I have not yet selected a senator,” Dr Minnis said. “We have a deep bench. I will discuss it tomorrow with my Parliamentary team, see how they feel, they would have views, they would have ideas, many individuals are offering all these name so we will discuss and come up with a decision we think will be in the best interest of the FNM and move the FNM  forward,” Dr Minnis said.

“I have only spoken to the deputy of my parliamentary team at this particular time and I will speak to the remainder of the group tomorrow (Tuesday) and they will have a couple of names. But there would have been names from previous elections and there were at least an additional four or five names that would have come forward. Then the parliamentary team, they will have names and we will discuss them all and discuss what are the pros and the cons. I will not put a date on when the announcement will be made, but I am not one who delays things, we will make it as soon as possible, but it has to be thoroughly discussed.”

Last week, Dr Minnis said the party will likely choose its Senate replacement for Mr Bostwick from the same list of candidates who were under consideration following the resignation of Zhivargo Laing from the Upper Chamber last year.

When Mr Laing resigned in 2013, Dr Minnis revealed that Ms Parker-Edgecombe, Michael Pintard, Winsome Miller, Carl Bethel, Mr Bostwick and Michael Foulkes were six of 11 potential candidates for the post.

When contacted for comment, Dr Sands refused to confirm or deny whether he was up for the post. Mr Gibson and Mrs Parker were not available for comment.

Mr Bostwick’s Senate seat was vacated after Dr Minnis revoked his appointment “with immediate effect” last Wednesday when he refused to resign after a charge of ammunition possession was brought against him.

Mr Bostwick was charged in Magistrates Court last week Monday with possession of ammunition. He pleaded not guilty and was granted $9,000 bail.

Mr Bostwick was sworn in as a senator in February 2013.