Kelvin Charles bows out of THA race

Former chief secretary Kelvin Charles will not be seeking re-election as the representative for the Black Rock/Whim/Spring Garden electoral district in the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election.

And the woman who beat him in the PNM Tobago Council leadership election on June 26, Tracy Davidson-Celestine, is set to be the sole nominee to be screened for the Lambeau/Signal Hill seat.

This means Charles has essentially bowed out of politics after serving only one term as chief secretary.

But, he will serve out his tenure as Secretary for Education, Innovation and Energy until the date of the election is announced.

On Wednesday, a list of some 40 prospective candidates was posted on social media.

Party groups have until Friday to finalise the names of their nominees to be screened for the THA election, constitutionally due in 2021.

The list includes Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis who is seeking to retain the Buccoo/Mt Pleasant electoral district for a third consecutive term. He is being challenged by Keigon Denoon.

Former PNM Tobago leadership contender Dr Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus has also offered herself as a nominee for the Scarborough/Calder Hall electoral district.

Tsoisfatt-Angus, chairman of the Tobago Festivals Commission, will come up against incumbent Marslyn Melville-Jack.

Melville-Jack is the Secretary for Community Development, Enterprise Development and Labour.

According to the list, Sheldon Cunningham, Assistant Secretary, Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment, is also hoping to retain the Providence/Mason Hall/Moriah electoral district.

He is expected to come up against Secretary for Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment Kwesi Des Vignes and veterinarian Dr Kern Johnson.

Johnson was screened for the Tobago East seat in the August 10 general election but lost to Ayanna Webster-Roy.

Assistant Secretary, Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development Nadine Stewart-Phillips has offered herself for the Roxborough/Delaford seat.

Others vying to be selected as the candidate for that electoral district are Venus Orr, Maxlon Roberts and Neil Beckles.

Secretary for Finance and the Economy Joel Jack is also hoping to return as the representative for Bacolet/Mt St George. He is being challenged by Charles Smith.

PARLATUVIER/L’ANSE FOURMI/SPEYSIDE

Rory Dillon

Soren Nicholas Bishop

PROVIDENCE/MASON HALL/MORIAH

Sheldon Cunningham

Kwesi Des Vignes

Dr Kern Johnson

SCARBOROUGH/CALDER HALL

Marslyn Melville-Jack

Dr Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus

BACOLET/MT ST GEORGE

Joel Jack

Charles Smith

BELLE GARDEN/GOODWOOD

Boxhill Bailey

Stephanie Washington John

Carl Mc Ewen

Kenneth Puncheon Thomas

Julette Pope

Sheridan Kirk

Ronnie Bacchus

Gizelle Davis

ROXBOROUGH/DELAFORD

Venus Orr

Nadine Stewart Phillips

Maxlon Roberts

Neil Beckles

LAMBEAU/SIGNAL HILL

Tracy Davidson-Celestine

BLACK ROCK/WHIM/SPRING GARDEN

Kelvin Morris

Learie Paul

Marlon Brizan

CANAAN/BON ACCORD

Clarence Jacob

Jaiye Melville

Huey Newton Cadette

Dominique Kerr

PLYMOUTH/GOLDEN LANE

Marisha Osmond

Cecil Noel

Deon Isaac

Stephon Isaac

Melissa James Guy

BETHEL/ MT IRVINE

Shomari Hector

Ellis Clarke

Navia Mc Millian Beckles

Ricardo Warner

BUCCOO/MT PLEASANT

Ancil Dennis

Keigon Denoon