In a significant development for Tobago’s political landscape, 26-year-old biomedical technology graduate Shonae John has emerged as the youngest candidate in the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections scheduled for January 12. The University of the West Indies graduate officially filed her nomination papers on December 19 as the People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate for the Roxborough/Argyle district.
John, who currently serves as a teacher at Goodwood High School, expressed profound enthusiasm about her political debut. “It’s incredibly exciting and truly an honor to receive this opportunity to represent the people of Roxborough/Argyle,” she stated outside the Glamorgan Multipurpose Facility after submitting her nomination. “Public service has been my long-standing aspiration, and reaching this milestone represents an emotional fulfillment of that dream.”
Since August, John has been actively engaging with constituents through walkabouts and personal meetings, describing these interactions as deeply enlightening. Her grassroots outreach revealed critical infrastructure deficiencies and basic necessity gaps within the electoral district. “Residents require fundamental improvements—from road repairs to structural reinforcements. Numerous areas demand immediate attention,” she noted.
Identifying herself as a “country girl” deeply rooted in the Delaford and Roxborough communities, John emphasizes her local connections and passionate commitment to service. Her campaign promises a fresh perspective and genuine dedication to addressing systemic issues, particularly youth unemployment which she identifies as the district’s most pressing challenge.
John’s policy agenda focuses on economic empowerment through business development initiatives and mentorship programs. She proposes leveraging the expertise of established tradespersons to guide young residents in developing marketable skills and establishing sustainable enterprises. “This approach will not only create self-employment opportunities but also generate jobs within the electoral district,” she explained.
The political newcomer will compete against Orlando Kerr of the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) in a bid to unseat Progressive Democratic Patriots’ representative Watson Duke, who has held the seat for eight years.