The election of the new Member of Parliament for the West Grand Bahama and Bimini
constituency Kingsley Smith is being likened to a vote of confidence in the administration
of Prime Minister Philip Davis.
The by-election was occasioned by the passing of the late Obie Wilchombe. Results of the poll
show that Smith won more votes than Wilchombe did in the general elections in 2021.  He won
2,150 votes compared to 2,034.
Meanwhile, the opposition Free National Movement’s candidate Bishop Ricardo Grant got less
votes than were cast for the FNM candidate in the last election. Grant received 1,276 votes,
Coalition of Independents leader Lincoln Bain received 307 votes, independent candidate Daquin
Swain received 28 votes and independent candidate Terneille Burrows received four votes.
While voter turnout was low, the decreased number of voters for the FNM is worrisome to some
of that party’s faithful supporters.
In his remarks after the results were announced on Wednesday night, Prime Minister Philip
Davis said, “It’s a victory for Kingsley Smith and the Progressive Liberal Party, but it’s also a
victory for The Bahamas. As you can see, from the many candidates and parties vying in this
election, Bahamians have demonstrated once again that our democracy is in good shape. God has
truly blessed our Bahamas.”
He added, “We wanted to win to honour the memory of Obie. We especially wanted to win
because we wanted a representative who shared our vision for the people of this constituency.
And now we can continue forward with that vision. Once again, we say ‘thank you!’ The
campaign gave us an opportunity to reconnect with the people in West Grand Bahama and
Bimini in a much deeper way.
“We’ve already done a lot of things on these islands, but there’s still lots more to do. People
invited us into their homes. We heard their stories. We saw many of the challenges they’re
dealing with. There’s a comfort in knowing that many of the seeds we’ve planted in Grand
Bahama and Bimini will bring significant new opportunities. New investments and upgrades to
infrastructure will make a real difference.
“But in the meantime, life is still far too challenging for too many. It’s on us to make sure that
we deliver relief, farther and wider. The same thing is true around the country. The economy is
growing, but recovery and growth haven’t reached everyone yet. We know how much work there
is to do! Finally, I say a huge thank you to our candidate, Kingsley Smith, as he steps forward to
carry the baton for the people of West Grand Bahama and Bimini.
“Congratulations sir, on sprinting successfully through a campaign which none of us expected.
Congratulations on a job well done! Being a member of parliament is a great privilege, and with
it comes great responsibility. The people have placed their trust and confidence in you. I have
every confidence that you will deliver for them.”

PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell also joined the prime minister in congratulating Kingsley Smith on
his by-election victory.
“We are confident that Mr. Smith, in his own right, will be a good representative for the
constituency and a worthy successor to the late Hon Obie Wilchcombe,” Mitchell said. 
“Thank you to all who participated in the election; who ran our campaign; and who sent us well
wishes and financial support.
“This election result is the repudiation of the salacious campaign waged by both foreign and
domestic opponents to discredit the candidate and the party.  Our Leader Philip Davis and the
candidate stayed the course and now we have won. This goes to the great credit of the people of
West Grand Bahama and Bimini. 
“Now it’s on to better days ahead for us all.”
After the FNM’s defeat in the by-election, party leader Michael Pintard said the FNM will
continue to hold the Davis administration accountable and will not abandon the constituency.
“Let me serve notice, we will not miss a day in holding this government accountable for the
commitments they made, not only to the people of West Grand Bahama and Bimini, but they
have made to all of the Bahamian people,” Pintard said.
“We maintain the results of this election is no reflection on their capacity to govern and their
willingness to work on behalf of the Bahamian people. And so, I want to say once again we
appreciate all of you who welcomed us into your homes. We will not abandon West Grand
Bahama and Bimini as we will not abandon any community in the Commonwealth of The
Bahamas.”