Smith takes Pickstock by wide margin
One local talk show has dubbed him the “Fresh Prince of Pickstock”, but after one of the most grueling, competitive and expensive convention races in recent memory, Godfrey Smith is anything but fresh. Both Smith and his opponent, Bobby Usher, are well liked, well educated, well financed and well-connected PUP operatives. But in the end only one could be the Pickstock nominee.
Ann-Marie Williams
In a groundswell of support, Godfrey Smith defeated Bobby Usher, six hundred and ninety-six votes to three hundred and twenty-five, making him the PUP Standard Bearer for the Pickstock Division.
Usher was hoping to succeed his uncle, current representative and former Prime Minister, George Price.
Voting started at 1:00 in the afternoon and the candidates left no doors unknocked upon. Both candidates were among the best organised campaigners in the nation and it was a race to the finish to get out the voters.
The polls officially closed at 7:00 p.m. and in under an hour Smith ushered in a new era for voters in Pickstock.
Godfrey Smith, PUP Pickstock Standard Bearer
“It’s tremendous, it’s beyond description. So many, many people have been so good to me, so many volunteers. I was impressed today when I came to our campaign office and looked around and see people who haven’t even asked for support come out of nowhere in support of me to ensure that we reach this victory.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“You not only go back to holding your post for a little while as Attorney General, what next now?”
Godfrey Smith
“With this victory, I’ve brought tremendous responsibility on my shoulders, since I have only two years within which to make a good enough impact that will allow me to maintain the confidence of the people of the Pickstock Division in time for the general elections for 2003.”
Shareth Hendy, Campaigner
“It was rough but beautiful. We had a beautiful response today. We knew from the beginning that we were going to win.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Was this the hardest day you ever worked?”
Miguel Alpuche, Campaigner
“It’s definitely the hardest campaign I’ve ever done over my campaign record of nineteen years. One thing I must say though, it’s the cleanest candidate I have ever worked for. Honesty and sincerity is Godfrey Smith. I must say thanks to the voters of Pickstock, who from late October received myself and the candidate Godfrey Smith with positive attitude day by day, morning afternoon, and nights. They welcomed us into their homes and they sent the message from day one “Godfrey da one a we” and tonight we can say “Godfrey da one a we.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“We could simply say now that the dynasty in Pickstock has literally been broken.”
(Crowd cheers)
Godfrey Smith
“That is the will of the people.”
And the people of Pickstock will look so Smith to make good on his promises. Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
Although Pickstock has gone blue in every general election since self-government, the margins have often been close. Smith will now have the task of uniting the divisional committee in preparation for the big election in 2003.
