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Judith Pestaina, Leader of the DFP and Roseau Central candidate
Although not attracting a huge crowd (as seen in recent campaign events), the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) put to rest last night any doubts that it was ready for the general elections or a serious contender for the government.
Under pressure to field candidates in the wake of the snap election called by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, party Leader Judith Pestaina, two weeks ago promised to present her slate of candidates “in the next couple days.”
And while no one expected the once mighty Freedom Party, now in reconstruction mode, to roll out twenty-one (21) candidates, it will be contesting enough seats to give the party a fair chance at recapturing the government.
Eleven out of the twenty-one seat parliament are needed to form the government. Sources close to the DFP say that the party intends to compete in thirteen or fourteen of the constituencies. Last night at Lagoon in Roseau, at its first major political rally, the party presented nine (9) of these candidates. The others said Pestaina, “will be presented in due course.”
Candidates presented include first time campaigners Oliver St.John Roseau South, Benjamin ‘Benji’ Pascal Grandfond, Felita Paul Soufriere, and Michael Astaphan Roseau Valley. Judith Pestaina who is also a first time campaigner though no stranger to politics will contest the Roseau Central constituency
Other more seasoned campaigners include Herbert ‘Sabie’ Sabroache Colihaut, Johnson ‘Boso’ Boston Mahaut,, Murphy Wallace Portsmouth and Henry ‘Babs’ Dyer Roseau North.
The team brings together a group of diverse individuals incorporating a strong mix of private/public sector experiences. But if last night was a sign of things to come, experienced campaigners like Saboorache and Dyer, under the surprisingly strong and focused leadership of Pestaina, are expected to lead the charge.
Since 2005 and with the exception of Charles Savarin who eventually joined the DLP, the DFP has gone without representation in Dominica’s parliament and is looking once again to reestablish itself in the honourable House. Judith Pestaina and candidates think that time can’t be too far away and are promising their supporters victory at the December 18th 2009 polls.
