westgrandbahama

Ricardo Grant mounted a strong campaign in the by-election for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, a Progressive Liberal Party stronghold, but he lost to Kingsley Smith by over 878 votes.

Smith secured 2150 votes and Grant got 1272 votes; Lincoln Bain of the Coalition of Independents captured 307 votes.

History has proven that the government of the day wins by-elections in the Bahamas, which was another setback for Grant in an area that has predominantly voted for the PLP, except in 2017 when FNM’s Pakeisha Parker won against Obediah Wilchcombe who died in September, making the seat vacant for a by-election.

Wilchcombe served for three consecutive terms before losing to Edgecombe who has proven that the area is winnable in a general election, which depends a large degree on people’s assessment of the government’s record at the end of a five-year term.

Grant may have lost now, but could win in the general election if he keeps ‘working the grounds’ because by-elections and general elections are different.

Voters’ political behavior differs during a by-election than a general election. And the government of the day has access to more resources to expend in one constituency than if the entire country was heading to the polls.

Chairman of the FNM, Duane Sands lost to Ryan Pinder (now the attorney general) in the Elizabeth Estates constituency in a by-election in 2010 (when PLP Malcolm Adderly resigned his seat) and also lost in the 2012 general election, but he won the 2017 election.

Grant must remain steadfast.

“The focus remains on the citizens of West Grand Bahama and Bimini. We will hold the government’s feet to the fire,” Grant said after the loss.

“I don’t just pass through here, I live here. This is my home…I am invested here…My family is here…The fight here is personal and it will remain personal…We will continue to partner together to continue to do the best we can with what we have.”

Troubled by recent headlines about his purported wealth of $1.8 million, Leader of the Coalition for Independents Lincoln Bain said in a social media post, that it is not an issue worth discussing.

“I don’t have a problem talking about my money….The real big story is not how much money Lincoln Bain declared because it’s the same amount of money I declared the last time.”

Bain, an activist, striving to become a politician, is making this his second attempt at the House of Assembly having thrown his hat into the ring in the 2021 general election where he received 641 votes, losing to PLP Myles LaRhoda who got 1712 votes and FNM incumbent Reuben Rahming received 937 votes.

As he runs in the by-election for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, his financial disclosures caught the attention of critics who questioned how he obtained his assets.

Bain who labelled himself a “businessman” on his financial disclosure, is the wealthiest candidate running in the by-election, according to what’s stated on the disclosure.

Seeking to clarify, Bain said on Wednesday that he owned many retail, wholesale and services businesses–shoes, clothing and weddings services.

He added that most of his money was derived from Information Technology services for the Tribune and the Bahamas government.

“I am an IT professional and the Tribune came to me to do their mobile apps and websites for 100 Jamz, and to do other IT [services].

“They have been my big clients and helping pay my bills for years. They have been writing cheques to Lincoln Bain.”

He continued, “A part of what I have is because I did excellent service for the Tribune,” making other claims that Bahamas Air was another client benefiting from his services.

“I manufactured medical supplies in China and sold [them] to the Bahamas government for the hospital and clinics, medical supply business with a government contract.

“I am well known for many retail businesses, I have owned–retail, and wholesale businesses in this country.  I  am one of the biggest producers of mobile apps in this country—probably. Probably even in the region.”

It is not known how many of these purported businesses are in operation. Bain claimed he retired at 32 years old.

His financial declarations stated that he has $41,000 in his savings account and $600,000 in real estate. His other personal items are worth $175,000; accounts receivable is $250,000; automobile is $20,000; real estate income is $42,000; and other income is valued over $50,000.

He then declared that a property was worth $1.8 million but did not declare a salary amount.