Anthony Mahler didn't have any political bonafides when he took up the post of Deputy Leader - replacing area rep who had already won an election. So, he had a lot to prove on election day. He worked in the Pickstock Division where he pulled off a major upset against three term incumbent Wilfred Elrington. In an interview on election day, Elrington said Mahler knows nothing about politics.
But he proved that he did when the votes were counted. He said he may not know about politics but he does know about people.
Reporter
"The incumbent which is minister Elrington, he had some choice words. He said actually you knew nothing about politics."
Anthony Mahler, Eastern Caucus Deputy Leader/Belize City
"Alright so I don't know anything about politics but I know about people and he doesn't and that is the big difference between the incumbent and myself."
Reporter
"The report coming out is that the PUP is leading by 150. You are leading in all boxes except one. Does this lay the kind of foundation you spoke about earlier that you want for you to be the area rep and to run for the area rep?"
Anthony Mahler
"Well, we are getting ahead of ourselves. The foundation is being laid. It is going to be a solid one so whenever the next general election is called I assure you that there will be a PUP victory."
Anthony Mahler
"For the last 8 or 9 months that we have been putting in work to ensure that we have a victory tonight. There are so many faces that you have not heard but you are going to hear that Anthony Mahler won Pickstock but actually there are so many people working hard."
"In terms of the councillors I want to tell them to work hard, stay focused, stay honest. I think there are many people in Belize who have become cynical about the political process and who are tired of the corruption no matter which government is in you hear it we have to do better."
Mahler and his PUP team had about 150 more votes than the UDP in the Pickstock division.
Email
Print