By-Elections in St Mary’s South Not About Physique

“I wish him all the best in his endeavors”. This was the initial reaction of Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, following the news that he would now have to compete with Dwayne George.

Both Simon and George have been very good friends over the years but now George has been named the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s candidate

“Whoever may come, this is pretty much what I have to say on that, it doesn’t matter as I will be winning back St Mary’s South,” Simon said

When news broke suggestions were made that this will be a political battle focused on physique as both Simon and George are physically fit men.

“Those things are frivolous because I have never campaigned on my physical appearance, I have never said anything about my physical appearance; if people like me, they like me because I am Shugy… for who I am, how I deal with people.

“At the end of the day, I want to be known as a politician that cares about the people, not one that looks good because if somebody is voting for me based on my looks, I think that it is empty because somebody can always come along and look better than me,” he said.

On Thursday, Marshall, through a press statement said she was withdrawing from the race saying she must recognize the clear message sent to her at the last polls.

She said that her decision to step aside was mainly due to her young family and that she will allow others to fight to improve living standards and maintain educational and employment opportunities that will allow the people of St Mary’s South to grow.

Senator Marshall was slated to contest the by-election against Kelvin Simon, who defeated her at the January 18 polls but resigned following an election petition against him.

The newly appointed Leader of Government Business in the Senate tells her supporters that she knows they believe in her and are aware of the challenges she has faced.

She says that despite this, she remains satisfied that under the ABLP, St Mary’s South has grown, and the people of the constituency have greatly benefited.

Senator Marshall says she will support and assist her replacement and hopes by taking this step now, St Mary’s South would be afforded a reasonable opportunity to make an appropriate selection of another who is willing and ready to serve.