Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis ratified six new candidates at the FNM Central Council Meeting late last night.

The six candidates, five men and one woman are set to be its standard bearers to represent the FNM in the upcoming 2017 General Elections in New Providence and North Andros and the Berry Islands.

“The FNM continues to recruit and ratify exciting and well-qualified candidates that will serve their Constituencies well,” Dr. Minnis said.

Leading the list of candidates is 21-year-old Travis L. Robinson, ratified to represent the Bain and Grants Town Constituency where he was born and raised.

Officials said Robinson was chosen for this constituency, as he knows firsthand the hardships that the Over-the-Hill Communities have faced under PLP representation, or lack thereof.

He is President and founder of The Rising Star Organization, an elite male mentorship group designed to train, empower and equip young boys who are student leaders to become world changers.

Ratified to be the standard bearer for the Centerville Constituency is Director of the Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union Reece Chipman.

Mr. Chipman a certified Public Accountant and businessman who employs more than 300 Bahamians, operating several small businesses will be a welcomed approach to Parliament next year according to Dr. Minnis.

Mr. Chipman is also a product of the constituency he is set to represent, and grandson of legendary entertainer John “Chippie” Chipman.

His work on various school boards has contributed to enriching the lives of many children in the areas of Farm Road and Centerville.

Raymond A. Rolle, who was once ratified in the Englerston Constituency in 2007, is again ratified to represent the FNM in the Englerston Constituency for the 2017 General Elections.

Mr. Rolle was born and raised in Nassau. Following the 2007 General Elections he became the Chairman of New Providence Port Authority.

Considered a leader in his community, he is anticipated to bring his passion for The Bahamas to Parliament as the next Member of Parliament for Englerston.

Business Mogul Dionisio D’Aguilar is ratified to be the FNM standard bearer in the Montague Constituency.

Mr. D’Aguilar is President and Chief Executive Officer of Superwash Limited, Nassau’s largest chain of service Laundromats – a position he has held for the past 23 years.

He qualified as a Certified Public Accountant and worked in public accounting with KPMG for five years. He also represented the business community as a very vocal and active President of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce from 2007 to 2009.

Mr. D’Aguilar is an outspoken businessman not afraid to express his views on the governing of the country.

“With our Bahamian economy in shambles under the PLP Government we need more business leaders like Dionisio in Parliament. Dionisio will bring his business acumen to Parliament and help the country recover and put more Bahamians back to work,” Dr. Minnis said.

Former FNM Senator Lanisha T. Rolle is ratified to represent the FNM in the Seabreeze Constituencies.

A former Police Officer of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and an ordained minister of the Christian Faith she was born and raised in Nassau.

Mrs. Rolle is a practicing Counsel and Attorney-at-Law and serves as the Managing Attorney of Progressive Legal Services Chambers. She has also served as a Part-time Lecturer of Law and Business for the College of the Bahamas.

Andros native and officer in the Bahamas Customs department for 20 years, Carlton G. Bowleg is ratified to represent the FNM in the Family Island Constituency of North Andros & the Berry Islands.

Born and raised in the settlement of Mastic Point, North Andros, he attended Mastic Point Primary School and North Andros High School before going abroad and obtaining a degree in Computer Programming and Accounting.

“Carlton has been involved in his community for many years and it has been motivating to see him working hard in the recovery efforts in North Andros each time I have visited following Hurricane Matthew. We need this kind of representation as Carlton exemplifies every day in Parliament that has been missing under the PLP.

“I’m excited by the prospects of our many talented candidates who are seeking to represent constituencies under the FNM banner, including our six new candidates. It is time for all Bahamians to unite behind the FNM and its candidates to rid this country of the PLP and their empty rhetoric and broken promises.   The FNM and our great candidates will fight for the Bahamian people each and every day,” Dr. Minnis said.