U.D.P. OW South Candidate Lupe Magana-Dyck on the Campaign Trail

Lupe Magaña-Dyck

As part of our continuing pre-election coverage, today we spoke to U.D.P. Candidate for Orange Walk South Lupe Magaña-Dyck. She’s relatively new to politics and joined the race only three months ago when she defeated two other candidates at a party convention. Politics is no game for a novice, and three months is practically no time at all, especially in an area as large and as spread out as Orange Walk South. But Magaña says she is very confident that she will be victorious over her veteran opponent Jose Abelardo Mai.

Lupe Magaña-Dyck, U.D.P. Candidate, Stann Creek West

“From the time I came in from my convention I have been working hardly. I managed to get funds from the honourable prime minister with the Petrocaribe money and I have actually worked in all my villages. I deal with road infrastructure from Yo Creek to San Felipe, way to San Carlos, Guinea Grass and even Fireburn, which is the smallest community, we did road infrastructure. We brought electrification to Guinea Grass; we fixed the water system in Guinea Grass. The same thing with San Felipe, we constructed just recently a new well and people are seeing that I am working, that I am putting that extra effort to really bring those resources to Orange Walk South. So it has been very positive and it has just been like three months that I came in as a standard bearer. So I am working really hard and people are seeing that effort that I am putting and they are really here to support me.”

Mike Rudon

“Do you think…from what you’ve mentioned just now, do you think your campaign might have gone a little differently if you did not have those Petrocaribe monies at your disposal?”

Lupe Magaña-Dyck

“Not necessarily because I had been there. Yes, I am a newcomer, but I have been there working way before. My husband and myself have been out there assisting with the different villages, sporting activities and sponsoring young people and some teams. So I have been working there before and as a social working too. I have that background…I worked in that area for thirteen years as a social worker and I have been in my area, helping and assisting people. I am a newcomer to politics, but I’m not a new face to the area.”

Mike Rudon

“Tell us a little bit about your strengths. What you bring to this race?”

Lupe Magaña-Dyck

“What I bring to this race…as my person, I am very compassionate. I know the needs of the people; I’ve been a social worker, I understand, I listen and I’m here to lobby and advocate what I did in my social work profession. So I can bring all of those strengths and as a leader that’s what I need. I need that connection to the people and I have it and for them to have that confidence in me that I can bring those changes for my constituency. I can lobby for those resources for the development of my constituency and to continue transforming my constituency.”

Mike Rudon

“Now you are going up against somebody who is considered a relatively powerhouse in that area, Jose Abelardo Mai. Give us a prediction for November fourth.”

Lupe Magaña-Dyck

“Okay, Jose Abelardo Mai is not going to win. He has been there as an area representative. He has been there getting the community votes that he is supposed to be using for his community. He has done nothing. So compare him that has been there before me and me, as a newcomer, I have really transformed my constituency. And I believe and I know that the people of Orange Walk South have that confident in me and I will be victorious come November fourth.”