A decisive by-election outcome in Dominica’s Roseau North constituency has cemented the ruling party’s hold on national politics, with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit framing the win as a nationwide endorsement of his administration’s policy direction. The victory rally held Monday night following the vote drew an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, where Skerrit shared his interpretation of the results that saw the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) candidate Ashma McDougall claim the open seat.
McDougall outperformed two rival candidates to secure the win: United Workers Party contender Daniel “Danny” Lugay and independent candidate Sherman Boston. Preliminary vote counts confirm McDougall received 1,506 votes, compared to Lugay’s 983 and Boston’s 50. Skerrit emphasized that the win was an unchallenged landslide, noting that McDougall carried every single polling station across the constituency, an unprecedented showing that leaves no room for dispute over the outcome.
In remarks to cheering attendees, Skerrit argued that the constituency’s vote carries weight far beyond Roseau North’s borders. “I believe that Roseau North has spoken for the whole country. Roseau North has spoken for every part of the country, and I believe that the rest of the country has heard you and seen you,” he told the crowd. The prime minister went on to say that the by-election result resolves long-running public debate over whether Dominica is heading in the right policy direction. “And so I believe that the debate in Dominica is over on whether the country is on the right track or the wrong track. And I think Dominica is on the right track based on what you have said in Roseau North,” he added.
Skerrit praised McDougall personally for her tireless campaign effort, highlighting the personal qualities that he says made her successful. “She wanted to win, she did what she had to do to win, and it has paid off,” Skerrit said. He described McDougall as a dedicated public servant with strong capability, unwavering commitment, and a rigorous work ethic that will serve constituents well. He offered his full congratulations, confirming that the new lawmaker will soon be appointed to Dominica’s Cabinet of Ministers, and pledged that his full administration will offer ongoing guidance and support to help McDougall succeed in her new role.
The prime minister also noted that the high-stakes by-election had drawn international attention, with observers monitoring the race from outside Dominica’s borders. He thanked residents of Roseau North for their overwhelming support, calling the electorate “wise and smart people” who correctly identified the candidate and platform that would best serve their own interests, their families, and their local community. Skerrit also reiterated a core principle of his administration: that elected representatives must remain present, accessible, and accountable to the constituents who put them in office.
To honor the community’s support, Skerrit announced plans for a nationwide thank-you gathering and social event to be held in the Roseau North area, though specific dates and additional logistics are still being finalized. The by-election win allows the DLP to retain the seat it first claimed in the December 2022 general election, when the party secured a historic supermajority, winning 19 of the 21 total constituency seats in Dominica’s national legislature.