The race in Pineridge is shaping up to be unpredictable with four candidates on the ballot—Progressive Liberal Party incumbent Ginger Moxey, Free National Movement challenger Charlene Reid, Coalition of Independents candidate Daniel Mitchell, and independent Frederick McAlpine.
It is a competitive race and a classic case of vote splitting.
In 2021, Moxey secured the seat with 1,423 votes, defeating the FNM’s Welbourne Bootle, who earned 886. McAlpine, who, running as an independent, captured 1,175 votes, nearly rivaling the winning total.
In 2017, McAlpine, then under the FNM banner, won decisively with 2,496 votes.
His continued presence in this race raises a critical question: who does he take votes from this time?
Pineridge has a history of flipping between the PLP and FNM. If McAlpine pulls significantly from the FNM base, it could ease the path for Moxey. But if discontent cuts across party lines, the outcome becomes far less predictable.
Mitchell, as a Coalition of Independents candidate, adds uncertainty. Even a modest share of votes could be enough to tilt the balance in a tight race.
Both Moxey and Reid are seen as strong contenders, but in a divided field, strength alone may not decide the outcome.
The race may become who benefits most from the split.