Will Bernard Wagner Be Endorsed to Run as Mayor Again?
Bernard Wagner
As the campaign season draws nearer, leading up to municipal elections next year, insiders from both political mass parties have started to position themselves to have their names appear on the ballot on election day. Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner has made it abundantly clear that he wants a third go as mayor, but that he will only run again if he is endorsed. And already, there are names being called of persons who also want to be the next mayoral candidate on the P.U.P. ticket. Today, the media got a chance to ask the Chairman of the People’s United Party, Henry Charles Usher if there will be an endorsement of Wagner. Wagner also explained that he has proven that he is able to withstand other challenges, referring specifically to COVID and Hurricane Lisa.
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
“My stand remains as I have indicated prior. That has not changed. It’s my decision and the party has its decision to make as well. I respect the decision of the party. I respect anybody else’s decision who aspires.”
Reporter
“But that’s not born out of fear, is it, of being contested? Or do you think you’ve already proven yourself to not have to face a contested convention?”
Bernard Wagner
“Could be, yeah, I believe that I’ve been tested, right. I’ve been tested. In 2018 I was tested, but I believe the greatest tests for myself and my council was the COVID tests, right, and the Lisa test. Those are events which will go down in history, that this Belize City Council led by Mayor Wagner faced COVID. That will never change. And when you go back in the history books, 100 years from now, they ask who was the mayor, who was the city council at that time when COVID came, and it was us and we performed. We never fired anyone. We kept the city running. We have just continued to persevere.”
Henry Charles Usher
Henry Charles Usher, Chairman, P.U.P
“The national executive had opened the window for persons to apply for the different positions at the different municipal bodies. That window will close on August 4th. So I’d probably be better able to answer that after that closing date.”
Reporter
“Do you know, more or less if Mayor Wagner will be endorsed or if there will be a convention?”
Henry Charles Usher
“I wouldn’t be able to answer that until after August 4th. If more than one person applies, then it will go to the national executive who has the final decision in terms of determining if there will be an elected convention or if there is an endorsement.”
Reporter
“So, nobody has applied as yet?”
Henry Charles Usher
“We have had some applications, but the closing date is next week Friday at four p. m.”
