As Belize prepares for its 2027 municipal elections, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has locked in its mayoral candidates for two key municipalities: Dangriga and Benque Viejo del Carmen, following internal party nomination contests held over the weekend.
In Dangriga’s mayoral nomination race, Dwayne Sampson secured a decisive victory over challenger Christalyn Castillo, with final vote counts putting Sampson at 687 votes against Castillo’s 195. Over in Benque Viejo del Carmen, Yusuf Guerra claimed the UDP mayoral nomination by defeating contender Danette Mendez; Mendez will remain on the party’s ticket as one of six candidates vying for municipal council seats in the upcoming 2027 vote.
Shortly after his nomination win, Sampson sat down for an interview with local outlet News Five to outline his policy platform and background as he prepares for the general municipal election. A community organizer with nearly 20 years of on-the-ground service in Dangriga, Sampson noted that his longstanding ties to the area have translated to strong grassroots support for his campaign.
The candidate, who previously sought office as an independent before joining the UDP, praised the party’s commitment to open democratic processes during the nomination contest. “One thing I can say about the United Democratic Party is that they deliver on democracy. They use the democratic process, and that is what is good — they give everybody a fair chance,” Sampson said, adding that the transition from independent politics to running under the UDP banner has been overwhelmingly positive, with full support from party leadership and members.
When outlining his policy priorities for Dangriga, Sampson highlighted two core goals that his full campaign slate, dubbed Team Sampson, will push forward if elected. First, the team plans to expand and revitalize the municipality’s tourism sector by centering its unique Garifuna cultural heritage. Sampson pointed to Marsha Mejia, one of his council candidates, who already has years of experience working to preserve and promote Garifuna culture in the region, as a key leader for this initiative. Second, the team aims to improve accessibility and accountability for local constituents: Sampson noted that many Dangriga residents report confusion over which councilor represents their district, and struggle to connect with elected officials to raise concerns. To fix this gap, Team Sampson plans to introduce regular scheduled “clinic days” where each councilor will be available to meet one-on-one with residents to address their needs.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general municipal election, Sampson expressed full confidence in his chances of victory, saying that Dangriga voters know him well, and understand the leadership style and values he brings to local government.