Mark King wants to be U.D.P. Port Loyola rep, but does party want him?

Mark King

The last we heard from former Lake Independence area representative and Minister of State Mark King, was that he was upset with his United Democratic Party. In October, King claimed he had been illegally kicked out of the U.D.P. National Party Council and not considered for any placement by the party. But he seems to be giving them another try, though in a different division – Port Loyola, where he is seeking the nomination. He is facing competition and, according to him, intimidation. In a Facebook post from Wednesday, King recounted being contacted by two former Belize City councilors, two businessmen and even Mace Bearer Brian “Yellowman” Audinett, with threats that he should drop out of the race. In King’s post he directly addresses his rivals who claim they are being supported by various powerful government ministers. He says “I’m not sure why you are campaigning to me because I can’t vote for any of you. The message I do have to all of you is for you to know that only one of us can win. All of us have the right to run, and we will all need each other’s support when it is over. So this I say to you. The energy you are using on me, go and talk to the people in Port, show them love, respect, kindness, and just maybe you might be able to win, and if any of you win, I will be the first to show my support for the winner.” He adds that his opponents need to think about the people of the division first and the party’s survival second and not themselves. Current representative Anthony “Boots” Martinez announced on Friday that he is retiring and will not seek another term in office.