The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement has its eyes on Bahamas Bar Association President Elsworth Johnson as the frontrunner to represent the Yamacraw constituency in the 2017 general election, according to well-placed sources.

The Tribune understands that the organisation has been courting Mr Johnson in recent months but has not yet cemented plans for the candidacy.

Mr Johnson declined comment when contacted by The Tribune yesterday.

Last month, he told The Tribune that while he has been approached by a political organisation, he was not considering a bid in front-line politics “at this time”.

He denied reports that he was seeking a nomination from the FNM, underscoring the critical need for him to be independent and objective as head of the regulatory body that governs the country’s legal professionals.

“The only thing I’m trying to ratify myself into now is heaven,” he told the Tribune last month.

“Being Bar president requires me to be independent and objective and when I decide that I am going to run, or place myself to run and accept a nomination, one of the first things I will do is resign. Until then, no, I haven’t accepted anything.”

Mr Johnson added: “If I decide that I’m going to run for the Free National Movement or Progressive Liberal Party, if they make that approach and today I decide I’m going to take it, then once I make that decision the next thing I have to do is bring that to the attention of the Bahamas Bar Association and Bar Council and say farewell, and then I make my announcement.”

Former FNM Chairman Dion Foulkes announced his desire to run in the 2017 election last year, and was recommended for a nomination by the party’s Yamacraw Constituency Association (YCA). Recommendations from constituency associations go on to the Candidates Committee and then the party’s Central Council for final approval.

In 2012, Mr Foulkes lost to Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) MP Melanie Griffin by a little over 400 votes. The eastern New Providence constituency has long been considered a PLP stronghold as Mrs Griffin has held the seat since 2002. According to the source, the party is not inclined to run Mr Foulkes this election cycle because of his consecutive losses in the area.

The FNM was expected to have completed its candidate ratification process by mid-October; however, it is unclear when the roll out will be complete.