As Dominica prepares for its next general election, the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has formally announced its plan to field a complete slate of 21 candidates to contest all available parliamentary seats, marking a deliberate, step-by-step approach to building its electoral team ahead of the vote.
UWP Political Leader Dr. Thomson Fontaine outlined the party’s strategy during a recent public press briefing, noting that the incremental rollout of candidates is designed to give Dominican voters adequate time to get to know each aspirant seeking office. Following an initial reveal of three candidates one month prior, the party has now introduced an additional three contenders, bringing the total number of publicly announced candidates to six out of the planned 21.
Dr. Fontaine framed the incremental rollout as a “nice steady march” toward completing the party’s full electoral lineup, emphasizing that all UWP candidates have been vetted to align with the party’s core values of integrity and public service. He described the full slate as a carefully curated mix of young talent, seasoned political experience, and proven professional competence, bringing together diverse Dominicans committed to advancing the nation’s interests.
One of the newly introduced candidates is Jean Francois, running for the Wesley constituency. Dr. Fontaine, who has campaigned alongside Francois on the ground in the area, noted that Francois offers a fresh alternative to traditional Dominican politics, highlighting his deep sincerity and unwavering dedication to improving living standards for residents of Wesley and all Dominicans nationwide.
Ernie Jno Finn, commonly known to constituents as “Teacher Ernie,” is the UWP’s candidate for the Castle Bruce constituency. Dr. Fontaine shared that he has toured the entire constituency with Jno Finn — covering communities from Castle Bruce, Tranto and Dipa to San Sauveur, Good Hope, and Petite Soufriere — and confirmed that she enjoys widespread grassroots support, driven by her longstanding passion for serving the constituency’s residents.
Completing the latest round of candidate announcements is Martha Augustus, who will stand for the Roseau South seat. Dr. Fontaine commended Augustus for her decision to return to Dominica after completing her studies abroad, turning down opportunities to build her life overseas to instead dedicate her career to public service for her home community.
The incremental rollout is set to continue in the coming weeks as the party works toward filling all 21 candidate slots ahead of the general election, with Dr. Fontaine confirming that the UWP will remain on schedule to present its full team to Dominican voters before ballots are cast.