Woods is the challenger to Senator Paul Thompson who was endorsed as Standard Bearer in late 2014. Thompson said he'll grant us an interview next week, but in the meantime his committee is doing the talking for him. The Committee members sent a signed letter dated yesterday to Party Chairman Henry Usher saying that they give their, quote, "resolute and unwavering support" to Thompson as the party's Standard Bearer for Albert.
The letter also notes that Thompson was the campaign manager for the successful Belize City slate in the recent municipal elections.
The committee members conclude, quote, "we received overwhelming feedback from the voters that Senator Thompson is…the right leader for the division…" end quote.
We asked Woods about the letter, and about the resistance to her candidacy from the Albert Executive Executive Committee. She said that while she hasn't seen the letter, their allegiance to Thompson is to be expected:
Reporter
"We have seen a letter from the PUP Albert Executive Committee and they are basically saying Mr. Party Leader, Mr. PUP executive, we want Paul Thompson to stay here. Have you seen this letter? Do you know of it? Their endorsing your opponent"
Valerie Woods, aspirant - PUP Standard Bearer - Albert
"No I haven't seen the letter, but at the end of the day voters of the Albert Division will decide who they want, regardless of endorsements and wherever endorsements are coming from. I am not aware of any letter."
Reporter
"How do you work with these PUP supporters to try to convince them to join forces with you?"
Valerie Woods
"We're all professionals and at the end of the day its one party that we are aligned to. I have no ill feelings towards anyone who is not necessarily supportive of me and would prefer Senator Thompson. If their coming from the committee, that one would we'd perhaps expect that. that's fine, it's their choice. If I, which I intend to be victorious with the voters of Albert, I will reach out to them. At the end of the day there is one objective and one goal post. There's no need for animosity with each other and we'll move on."
Reporter
"What or who are you referring to, generally speaking, with your Facebook post yesterday with the suggestion that persons within the PUP are trying to bully you into changing your mind and interest in Albert?"
Valerie Woods
"Not even channel 7 can try and bait me on internal workings of the party so sorry about that."
The convention will be held on father's day, June 17th - which gives both candidates one month to campaign - a rare off-season political contest sure to be welcomed by the voters in Albert.
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