EXUMA

PLP: Anthony Moss

FNM: Joshua Sears

Exuma went PLP in the 1970’s and they held it until 1997. Originally it consisted of two seats, Rolleville in the north and George Town in the south. George Town was considered winnable for the FNM while Rolleville was usually written off. In the 1977 election, in the three way FNM-BDP-PLP race, Rolleville FNM candidate Wydian Pyfrom became a trivia question (and punch line) by receiving NO votes – the only major party candidate in Bahamian history to earn that dubious honor.

In 1992, Exuma was reduced to one seat and while the FNM’s Lyn Holowesko ran a strong race, she was not able to overcome the PLP. In 1997 the FNM wave carried in Elliot Lockhart but he lost by a very small margin to the PLP’s Anthony Moss in ’02.

Since then, Exuma has opened a large resort, part of Prime Minister Christie’s ‘Anchor project’ strategy for developing the Out Islands. This has brought an influx of people as well as some serious social problems. While this seems to have put off some Exuma natives, those new residents are obviously employed and perhaps more likely to support the status quo. Moss did not win by much in ’02 despite the PLP wave, but the game in Exuma has changed since then. Former diplomat Mr. Sears will need all his powers of persuasion if he wants to make it to parliament

Rating: LEAN PLP