“Boots” rallies to win Port Loyola nomination
Judging from the banners, posters and advertisements of Tony Leslie, one would have thought that the UDP contest in Port Loyola was a one-man race. Maybe it was…but on Sunday, that man wasn’t named Leslie. Anthony “Boots” Martinez captured his second Port Loyola convention for the UDP in a very close vote. He rounded up five hundred and nine votes to Tony Leslie’s four hundred and ninety-three, with Norman Rodriguez taking one hundred and twenty-six. Martinez called his success a victory for the people.
Anthony “Boots” Martinez
“I am very thankful for the residents of Port Loyola who have vested confidence in me, to come and restore me as the UDP standard bearer for the Port Loyola Division. It was an amazing convention, the people came out, and they have spoken. I’d like to thank all the supporters that came to the convention and supported all the candidates. I’d like to congratulate Mr. Leslie and Mr. Rodriguez on a very good contest.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Did you feel like you were going to win? I know that you faced a bit of odds leading up to the convention and there were times when it must have been hard for you.”
Anthony “Boots” Martinez
“Well like my grandmother used to say, “don’t worry about the noise in the market, you check your change.” I’ve been out since January on a house to house campaign, getting familiar with the residents some more. I knew I was going to win yesterday. The people pledged their support and I believed in them and they came out and did what they had to do.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Did you think that because you were sort of the incumbent it worked in your favour?”
Anthony “Boots” Martinez
“The incumbency is a big factor in that convention yesterday, because I have done a lot of work in Port Loyola and people will always remember me for what I’m worth if nothing else, they know I’m a worker.”
Meanwhile on Sunday, the PUP also selected their standard bearer, for the Mesopotamia Division. Philip Brackett, who resigned from the UDP in 1998, won his convention with one hundred and twenty-four votes. Second was Myrna Pandy with one hundred and one, followed by Kent Gabb with thirty-three votes and Rhenae Nunez with twenty-seven. Brackett will contest the Mesopotamia Division in 2003 against incumbent Michael Finnegan.
