In a formal announcement made public on Friday, June 12, 2026, veteran Dominican political leader Miriam Blanchard has officially stepped down from her post as Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau North Constituency, confirming that pressing health concerns have prompted her decision to leave public office.
The House of Assembly received Blanchard’s formal resignation letter dated June 9, 2026, which formally notified legislative leadership of her intent to vacate her parliamentary seat. For close to 10 years, Blanchard has stood as one of the most influential figures in Dominican politics, holding multiple senior cabinet positions across key government portfolios. Her career in public service included leadership roles overseeing infrastructure, national planning, economic development, labor policy, public service reform, and small business growth across the island nation.
Among her most notable contributions was her central leadership role in steering the country’s large-scale reconstruction process after Tropical Storm Erika devastated large swathes of Dominica, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Beyond disaster recovery, Blanchard also played an integral part in advancing dozens of national development initiatives that have shaped the country’s growth trajectory in recent years.
In an official press statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) shortly after the resignation announcement, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit offered a heartfelt tribute to Blanchard’s decades of commitment to the Dominican people, calling her contributions to the nation extraordinary.
“As I reflect, I look back with immense gratitude on Miriam’s decision to answer the call to enter public life, choosing to raise her hand and be counted when the country needed selfless service,” Skerrit said in his remarks. He emphasized that throughout her tenure in government, Blanchard served with clear distinction, and maintained unwavering commitment to advancing the nation’s interests even as she privately navigated ongoing health challenges.
The Prime Minister lauded Blanchard’s well-documented perseverance and deep dedication to public good, noting that she gave every part of herself to serving Dominican communities. He called on the nation’s citizens to stand with Blanchard as she turns her full attention to recovery, adding that now it is the country’s turn to lift her up and hold her in their thoughts and prayers.
Skerrit also highlighted Blanchard’s relentless advocacy for the residents of her Roseau North constituency, noting she consistently worked to ensure local communities could access and benefit from national development gains. Expressing deep confidence in Blanchard’s well-known strength and resilience, the Prime Minister extended his wishes for comfort and restored health during this period of healing.
To address the vacancy left by Blanchard’s departure, Skerrit gave formal assurance that constituent services and parliamentary representation for Roseau North will continue without disruption. He also confirmed that a by-election will be held to fill the empty seat within the timeline mandated by Dominica’s Constitution.
Concluding his tribute, Skerrit said Blanchard’s public service legacy will remain a foundational part of Dominica’s ongoing progress, and pledged ongoing support from both the national government and the Dominica Labour Party for Blanchard and her family as she enters this new phase of her life.
Joseph Isaac, Speaker of the House of Assembly who formally accepted Blanchard’s resignation letter, also issued a brief statement of thanks. “On behalf of the House of Assembly, I thank Hon. Blanchard for her service to her constituents and to the people of Dominica and wish her very best,” Isaac said.