7 News Belize

Darrell Declares For Caribbean Shores
posted (March 30, 2015)
It seemed that for months Belize City UDP Mayor Darrell Bradley was going back and forth on whether he run for Caribbean Shores or stay on and seek a second term as mayor. Well it turns out he will do both! Less than a month after winning a major landslide as mayor, Bradley announced today that he's taking on Santino Castillo in Caribbean Shores. 7News was at the launch of his candidacy today:...

Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City
"So it gives me great pleasure, great honor, great pride and great humility to stand before you this morning and to declare in one resounding voice that I intend to run for area representative in the Caribbean Shores division of Belize City."

Jules Vasquez reporting
And to make the announcement Darrell Bradley set up his launch tent on the freshly paved Blue Marlin Boulevard

Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City
"This street that we are on, Blue Marlin Boulevard, I was told that this street was in the making for 5 years, It did not happen just by chance. It happened because you have men and women leaders who are caring with vision and commitment."

And that record is what he is running on against current representative Santiago Castillo Jr.

Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City
"So that one of the reasons why we decided to have it on a Monday morning at 10am in the form and fashion that we have, is really just to make a public announcement that we are coming for the Caribbean Shores seat."

Jules Vasquez
"Santino has said that he has the Prime Minister's support as a cabinet member. The Prime Minister has said that Santino indeed does have his support and that Santino's family has been long time supports of the UDP. We assume that to mean campaign contributors as well. Do you feel that you are taking on the whole side?"

Geovannie Brackett, reporter
"If the party supports Santi, that means not only support on the ground, but as well as money and how will you match up against those two entities?"

Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City
"There is no question of matching up. I am not approaching this from the point of being a novice. I know that there will be a significant amount of money against us. There will be a significant amount of political support against us. So, what I am telling you is that it is about the courage of your leader to stand up and say, you know what, I am for character, I am for change, I am for vision and if the people want Darrell Bradley, then just vote."

And while the crowd this morning was there for Caribbean shores - what about city hall?

Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City
"There will be those who would say Mr. Mayor, you were elected to a 3 year term and now you are aspiring to be area representative in Caribbean Shores. I have made no secret of the fact that I wish to be of service in any office that I hold in this land."

Jules Vasquez
"You had 12,000 votes as mayor in the recent election not a month ago and now you are saying to those people, thanks for voting for me as mayor, I got 12,000 votes, but I am moving on. Is that a betrayal of those voters?"

Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City
"I think that that's a fair question and I made this very clear in my speech that it's about service. I want to be able to continue to serve this land in whatever office. I feel that I can make a contribution in higher office. Nobody in this city, has to feel that my loyalties, my dedication will be curtailed or diminished in any way. I will be effective as a mayor for the full time in which I serve in that office."

But how long will he serve - if general elections are really just a year or less away

Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City
"No one need worry that your mayor will be preoccupied in relation to the Caribbean Shores constituency convention or the election, that my heart and our work will continue to making the city a place that we can all be proud to call our home."

Jules Vasquez
"However, you are already doing two jobs which are your law practice and city hall. Are you able to do 3, which is lead a campaign for a convention?"

Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City
"I would say that I could do 4. I would just say this Jules, that I was a practicing attorney, I go to court probably every day. I was a fulltime mayor, being at City Council every single day working and that formula has yielded unprecedented development in the city."

And so now - with his pastor's blessing - Mayor Bradley will see if he can parlay his municipal accomplishments into national office.

The mayor would only demit his office at City Hall if and when he were elected to national office in the next general election. Of course, he has to first win the UDP's convention on June 7th for that to be a possibility.

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