The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

WITH the backing of senior party members, Senator Michael Pintard is expected to announce his candidacy for chairman of the FNM tonight in Nassau.

The FNM will hold its national convention on Friday, when the party will decide on several executive positions, including leader, deputy leader and chairman.

So far, only former Minister of State for the Environment Phenton Neymour has officially announced his intent to run for FNM chairman.

Maurice Moore, one of the founding members of the FNM, told The Tribune yesterday he supports Mr Pintard’s candidacy for chairman. He said Mr Pintard would be an “excellent choice”.

Mr Moore, a former Cabinet minister and ambassador, said Mr Pintard is well suited and has the qualities that are needed for such a position.

“He is a very organised young man, and he is the type of person I believe the FNM needs at its organisational level,” he added. “Both (former Cabinet minister) C A Smith and I think highly of him. He is in the Senate and his presentations are always on target, well organised and well researched, which are prerequisite of someone who is seeking to become chairman.”

He stated that Mr Pintard has also proved to be a good political candidate.

Mr Pintard ran in 2012 for the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador seat which he lost to Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis.

“I went to Cat Island with him. I worked with him and I watched him work on the ground; we were leading when I left ... he lost by less than 100 votes.”

Mr Moore said Mr Pintard is a team player and would be able to work with the party’s leadership.

David Thompson, former FNM senator and Cabinet minister, said that he too supports Mr Pintard in his bid.

“He is a good candidate,” Mr Thompson said. “I was one of the persons who encouraged him to run for party chairman because I see in him all the qualities that would make him an excellent chairman.

“He is highly persuasive and has demonstrated the ability to follow through on commitments. He knows the political environment of the Bahamas, and has ability to work with others in considering and formulating the best strategies to be employed by the FNM as it moves towards election 2017.

“With his political sense and ability he is able to significantly contribute to the FNM leadership team in formulating and implementing strategies for national development to make the lives of Bahamian everywhere better.”

Mr Thompson believes that Mr Pintard would be able to represent the ideals of the FNM party in a thoughtful, coherent and competent manner as the chairman is spokesman of the party.

Mr Smith said he would reserve comment until after Mr Pintard officially announces his candidacy at the Workers House on Tonique Williams-Darling Highway at 8pm.

Mr Pintard, who lives in Grand Bahama, was selected an FNM senator in June after John Bostwick II had his appointment revoked because of a pending court case.

During the announcement of Mr Pintard’s appointment as senator, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said that Mr Pintard would help the party fight discrimination and victimisation as well as help make a better Bahamas.