Three more candidates selected in conventions

Politics marches on as three nominating conventions were held over the weekend, two for the People’s United Party and one for the United Democratic Party. All were hotly contested. In Cayo West, one of only three divisions not held by the PUP, Kendall Mendez was elected as PUP standard bearer. He received eight hundred and three votes to three hundred and thirty-eight for his opponent, Ismael Perez. The convention was held in Benque Viejo del Carmen. In Cayo South, incumbent PUP representative Agripino Cawich was challenged by three aspirants but managed to come out on top. He garnered five hundred and ninety votes, while Barbara Ramos received three hundred and thirty-nine, Roody Wade one hundred and forty-seven and Egbert Vernon, thirteen, in a convention held in St. Margaret’s Village. On the UDP side former representative Dennis Usher will get another shot to reclaim his old seat in Toledo West. In a particularly large turnout Usher won handily with seven hundred and eighteen votes over Charles Selgado’s one hundred and seventy-six and Duane Wagner’s one hundred fifty-seven. The next general election is not expected until sometime between August and November of 2003.