On last Friday's newscast, we told you about the persistent reports we got that PUP Senator Valerie Woods had expressed interest in running as a standard bearer for the Albert Division. If true, she would be going up against her Senate and Party colleague, Paul Thompson, who's currently the divisional caretaker.
Well today, she confirmed that she's been testing the waters in the Alberts, to see if Albert voters would support her if she went up against Thompson in a contested convention.
Woods grew up on Palm Lane, which is right off Regent Street. Her family home is still on the same street, and today, she invited us for an interview at that location to discuss why she would want to become the area rep for Albert:
Senator Valerie Woods
"I have been getting a lot of requests from people inside this division as well as outside encouraging me to do it so I am seriously considering that. This week and last week have been testing the waters based on the request and the overwhelming support I've been getting to get more involved. I've been meeting with voters from across different sections from the Alberts and I'm encouraged but I do have quite a few more homes to visit between now and Friday before I make my final determination."
Reporter
"So you still haven't made up your mind fully."
Senator Valerie Woods
"No, I don't think you take these things so easily, anything I take on, I do so seriously. It's a huge responsibility to represent a division. When you do that you're first and foremost, if you're victorious at the general elections, you are an area representative first and foremost. With that comes a lot of responsibility to make sure that you understand what's going on in the area, that you are determined which I feel that I am to represent and voice the needs of the people at Albert Division. If I so choose to go this route, I'm doing my consultations, I feel energized about it and encouraged. I would hope that within the next few days, I have until Friday I have covered sufficient ground, north, south, east and west of the Albert Division."
As you heard in our story, she hasn't made up her mind completely yet, and that final decision will come by Friday - which would give her four weeks of campaign time before a convention.
Tune into tomorrow's newscast, when you'll see what she had to say about possible infighting within the PUP that could erupt if she directly challenges Paul Thompson - who is aligned with Deputy Cordel Hyde.
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