'Influencer' chosen as PNM candidate for Morris-Julian's seat

DOMINIC ROMAIN, a financial consultant and social media influencer, has been chosen as the PNM candidate for Malabar/Mausica (formerly D'Abadie/O'Meara).

The seat was previously held by minister in the Ministry of Education, the late Lisa Morris-Julian, who died in a fire on December 16.

The constituency executive, headed by Gillian Lewis, sat with the PNM's central screening committee chaired by the prime minister from about 7–9.15 pm at party HQ at Balisier House, Port of Spain, to examine seven nominees for that seat.

These included Kim Garcia, Jeniece Scott, Luanne Pamphille, Derek King, Sanjeev Boodhu and Brittany Pierre.

Ahead of the screening, Lewis told Newsday she had withdrawn her consent to be nominated.

Romain said he was humbled at the executive's confidence in him, albeit it was bittersweet as he recalled the circumstances leading to the vacancy arising, ie Morris-Julian's untimely death.

"The former MP and I were fairly good friends for the short time we would have know each other."

He hoped to be able to pick up the mantle from his predecessor.

"I intend to work as hard as I can and as hard as she would have done to make D'Abadie/O'Meara, now Malabar/Mausica, the constituency it truly can be."

Romain said he was a lifelong resident of the constituency and is a financial consultant and influencer.

"I do some work on social media with respect to advocacy for the party. Facts are stubborn things. Yes.
"So what else is there to say? Single, no kids. But that is not advertising, eh? Ha ha."

Romain said the screening had gone smoothly.

"Actually I expected it to be a little more rigorous, because yesterday we had our constituency executive screening and I must say I have to give special thanks to these folks, because coming out of yesterday, it would have given me impetus to go home and do my homework.

"So I came prepared today and I want to thank the PM for giving me the opportunity to express not just who I am and what I could bring to the table, but also to speak about some of the initiatives I would have have to undertake as the next MP for Malabar/Mausica, the first MP for Malabar/Mausica."

Dr Rowley spoke to reporters but could not say when the PNM's next screening would take place for the three Diego Martin seats and the Cumuto/Manzanilla seat, on which no decision has been taken. Devica Dhanoo and Jason Saunders screened that night for the latter seat.