marcocity

Marco City will be watched closely in the upcoming general election, and at the center of it is Michael Pintard.

The Free National Movement leader is seeking a third consecutive term as Member of Parliament for the Grand Bahama seat, a break from the constituency’s long-standing pattern of turnovers.

This time, the PLP has put forward Edward Whan, a businessman from Freeport, while the Coalition of Independents is represented by Jillian Bartlett. It raises familiar questions about vote splitting and whether third-party candidates can meaningfully disrupt the two-party race.

Historically, Marco City has switched between the FNM and the Progressive Liberal Party every election cycle, making sustained dominance rare.

The seat has moved from Pleasant Bridgewater (PLP) to Zhivargo Laing (FNM), then to Greg Moss (PLP), before Pintard’s back-to-back victories.

Pintard first won the seat in 2017 and held it again in 2021, where he secured 2,340 votes, comfortably ahead of PLP candidate Curt G. Hollingsworth, who received 1,359. Third-party and independent candidates, including those aligned with the Coalition of Independents, collectively drew a smaller but notable share of the vote.

Still, the focus remains on Pintard.

As both incumbent and party leader, his candidacy carries weight beyond the constituency. A third win would solidify his local political strength but also show momentum for the FNM nationally. A loss, however, would raise immediate questions about the party’s path to government.

Michael Pintard could become the first prime minister from Grand Bahama.

For the country’s ‘second city,’ that would represent a shift politically.

For decades, the prime ministership has largely centred around New Providence. But if Pintard, the leader of the Free National Movement and MP for Marco City, was to lead his party to a strong victory in Grand Bahama, it could change the island from an economic afterthought to a political driving force.

“We will deliver first-class public service, first-class representation, not with arrogance but with humility. No gimmicks, no games, we are here to usher in a new era for GB,” Pintard said about transforming the island on Friday at the FNM Grand Bahama Candidate Launch.

Grand Bahama has long been considered ‘FNM country’. Central and East Grand Bahama consistently vote FNM. Marco City has remained in FNM hands for two consecutive elections under Pintard. Pineridge is a swing seat. West Grand Bahama leans PLP but has flipped before.

If the FNM was to capture four or even all five seats on the island, it would send a powerful message.

It would show that Pintard can mobilise the island, widely seen as the FNM’s political base. A dominant performance in Grand Bahama would strengthen his leadership and build momentum.

Grand Bahama has endured years of economic strain, from the closure of the Grand Lucayan Resort to rising power bills, unemployment, and stalled development projects. Many voters are looking for a revival of the economy.

Pintard reminded Grand Bahamians: “The government does not have real plans for this island. You have not heard him (Davis) lay out a plan that can transform our lives. What he does do is he issues a new round of promises. He hasn’t affected your light bill; they haven’t gone down. What he hasn’t done is he hasn’t improved affordability. Some of you have moved two times, three times in one year…These are tough times for so many people.”

Still, even a sweep for Pintard in Grand Bahama would not automatically secure Pintard the Office of the Prime Minister because elections are decided seat by seat across the country.

However, if Pintard wins big in Grand Bahama, it could mark a turning point for the island.

As the one-day convention for the Free National Movement draws near, St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright endorsed Marco City MP Michael Pintard for leadership of the party.

Cartwright is one of the 7 FNM MPs who retained their seats in Parliament following the general election.

Many pondered whether Cartwright, a well-liked parliamentarian would have contended for the leadership post, but he never gave a distinct answer, only to say that he could vie for any of the leadership posts which also include the deputy leadership or chairmanship position.

Now that the convention is on Saturday, Cartwright has endorsed Pintard. Cartwright was seen sitting next to Pintard at Bahamas Harvest Church where Pintard’s campaign team held a church service on Wednesday. This signaled his support for the parliamentarian.

Cartwright said Pintard is best suited to bring “generational change and transformational leadership” to the party.

“…in this moment, with his capacity to unify the Free National Movement, it is my humble belief that Michael C. Pintard fulfills that promise,” he said.

The FNM suffered a crushing defeat at the polls on September 16, in an early election called by former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, winning only 7 of the 39 seats.

Since the loss, blame has been assigned to Minnis, causing factions within the party.

Pintard, who goes up against East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson and Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis, promises to unify the factions in the party.

The party will hold another election in February to elect members for other positions. It remains to be seen if Cartwright will contend for any of those positions.

A question asked by Marco City MP Michael Pintard regarding the perceived unequal application of the five-day PCR testing requirement sparked a morning row with Health Minister Michael Darville in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

Pintard sought clarification of a clause before the passage of the COVID-19 Pandemic Special Provisions Bill 2021.

“I know the Progressive Liberal Party has prided itself on putting Bahamians first and so I find it a bit odd unless I mis-read it, that you were prepared to accept from the United States…a five-day old Covid test. Americans can take it five days before travelling and we are willing to accept it…” he said.

“It seems as if there is unequal treatment of Bahamians with Americans. If you can help me understand, why is there that disconnect?”

Darville took exception to Pintard’s question and responded, “Read it and come back.”

Pintard, taken aback by Darville, asks, “Am I incorrect or not?”

“You’re incorrect,” Darville blurted out on his feet.

“So help me understand,” Pintard retorted.

“Read it and call me,” Darville said, spurring laughter from other parliamentarians

“It’s that kind of arrogance that has some other people in jeopardy,” Pintard replied on his feet, as House Speaker Patricia Deveaux interrupted to restore order in the House.

“Honorable member for Marco City, let me remind you that one person on his feet at a time please,” she said.

Pintard said, “Yes, except the one on his feet is insulting me, Madam Speaker. I intend to stand up. Don’t tell me read the bill. I’m referencing the section because I read the section. Only that section I’m raising with you…Don’t get cute.”

“No, I don’t want to be cute,” Darville said. But I don’t want you to be disrespectful as well.”

Darville could not find the documents to explain to Pintard at the moment, giving the floor back to Pintard and stating he will address the matter later in his speech.

After weeks of speculations, Marco City MP Michael Pintard has officially announced his leadership bid for party leader of the Free National Movement.

In an official social media post, Pintard is set to launch his campaign on Wednesday at the British Colonial Hilton at 8 pm.

The poster says, “Be a part of the movement to rebuild, reconnect and reignite.”

This announcement comes after two FNM Members of Parliament Kwasi Thompson and Iram Lewis announced their bid for the party leadership.

Pintard, Thompson and Lewis are all members of parliament from Grand Bahama, and are seeking election to replace Party Leader Hubert Minnis who stayed on as party leader. Minnis leads the opposition in Parliament until the party’s convention is held on November 27.

Fifty-six-year-old Pintard is said to be a strong contender for the position as reports say he has gathered support from delegates as he seeks to reunify the party and bring FNMs back into the fold, many who may have strayed.

Following the FNM’s defeat at the polls on September 16, it was suggested many of its voters stayed home and may have lost confidence in Minnis. Only 7 FNM candidates returned to the House of Assembly. The other 32 seats were won by the Progressive Liberal Party.

Pintard was a former Cabinet minister in the Minnis-led administration where he served as Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture.