JLP Kings seek elusive crown in PNP territories

Carlos King, a fixture on the political scene in St Andrew South West since the 1990s, is yet to raise the blood pressure of comrades who have controlled the area since the 1970s.

Despite his inability to wear a crown, King has now introduced his daughter, Shannon King, to the politics as they have both declared their intent to give the People’s National Party (PNP) candidates a scare this time around.

“The highest votes I get so far is 91,” said the father King, who was on Thursday nominated to contest the Whitfield Town division on the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) ticket. He is set to face the PNP’s Eugene Kelly, who has held the seat since 2007. When the two faced off in the 2016 elections, Kelly polled 1818 votes to King who got 52 votes.

Whitfield Town was once considered one of the strongest JLP divisions on the island but Portia Simpson Miller rewrote history in 1974 when she was elected councillor in the local government elections. She went on to become Member of Parliament for St Andrew South West in 1976, and the seat has remained a PNP stronghold since.

In the Payne Land section of the constituency, Shannon has been nominated to contest the seat against Devon Jackson. Audrey Smith won the seat by a few city blocks for the PNP in the last elections, getting 2,358 votes to the JLP’s Devon Clarke who got 49.

Shannon, who is committed to being “the better version of the King”, says she is confident that she has a chance of winning despite the PNP holding the seat consecutively.

“Yes, young people time,”she said. “I think I stand a chance, but based on the strong hold that the PNP have, I’m still doing my best to get the votes in.”

Shannon believes that the race in Payne Land is the equivalent of a David and Goliath matchup, but is adamant that she will slay the giant.

“I’m not afraid, we likkle but we tallawah. It will just encourage me. As I said before, it is my first time in. If I lose, it’s just a trial,” she said.

She is also confident that her father’s persistence will pay off.

“The greatest thing about it [is that] he didn’t give up. He kept fighting and kept showing the people that he’s there, and we are here to help them. Eventually, one day we will get the seats,” Shannon said.

A total of 499 candidates have been nominated to contest the Local Government elections scheduled for February 26. The JLP and the PNP have each entered a full slate of candidates to contest the polls in the 228 electoral divisions and in the Portmore Municipality mayoral election.

Thirty-six candidates were nominated to contest the elections in 34 electoral divisions as independent candidates.

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