Earlier on in the news, we showed you our interview with John Saldivar, where he discussed his aspirations for the UDP leadership.
Well, he's also put out what would be his choice for dream team of UDP politicians to contest the 2020 General Elections.
For Corozal, he wants to see Pablo Marin for Corozal Bay, Hugo Patt for Corozal North, Dr Angel Campos for Corozal Southwest and Tony Herrera for Corozal South East.
In Orange Walk, he wants to see Elodio Aragon run for the East, Guadalupe Magana Dyck for the South, Homero Romero for the North, and Evan Williams for Central.
For Stann Creek and Toledo, Saldivar wants to see Frank "Pawa" Mena run for Dangriga, Ivan Williams for Stann Creek West, Macario Coy for Toledo West, and Dennis Garbutt for Toledo East.
In Cayo, he's chosen to endorse Erwin Contreras for Cayo West, Rene Montero for Cayo Central, Dr. Omar Figueroa for Cayo North, John August for Cayo Northeast, and Ralph Huang for Cayo South.
In the Belize District, he has endorsed Manuel Heredia Jr. for Belize Rural South, Edmond Castro for Belize Rural North, and Beverly Williams for Belize Rural Central.
And in Belize City, he's hoping to see Patrick Faber for Collet, Wilfred Elrington for Pickstock, Tracy Taegar Panton for Albert, Dr. Carla Barnett for Freetown, Darrell Bradley for Caribbean Shores, Suad Lindo for Fort George, Denise Barrow for Queen Square, Shyne Barrow for Mesopotamia, and Phillip Willoughby for Port Loyola. He hasn't chosen yet for Lake Independence.
Most of it is pretty status quo, but one choice, like Willoughby in Port Loyola, challenges the party orthodoxy and denies the ascendance of would be challenger for leader Mike Peyreffitte. Here's what he had to say about it:
Reporter
"You've caused quite a stir or a wave on social media in respect what I would call; for instance your fantasy team of standard bearers going into the 2020 general elections. Is this ramping up part of your personal campaign for the leadership of the UDP?"
Hon. John Saldivar - Area Representative, Belmopan
"I think it's just my style. I am a very involved person, I have my way of doing things, my leadership style and I feel that I had to weigh in on some of these races across the country for people who might be able to influence because we do want to put the best team, the best possible team together and as you may have noticed by now, what I have been recommending or my preferences are not along leadership lines because I am recommending people who support me and also people who support Minister Faber, so that is not the intent."
Reporter
"A particular interest however is the San Ignacio situation if I may involving Mayor Trapp and of course John August. Share with us your take on that aside from what you have put on social media."
Hon. John Saldivar
"Well, I don't know that there is much more aside from that, that is basically how I have arrived at my conclusion. I feel that some mistakes were made in the last general elections that can be corrected. I believe that John August remains a viable candidate, a very charismatic fellow, well liked in his constituency and I take example from myself, you stay in it and eventually you are going to get there. So I believe that giving John a second chance is a good thing, this is not to take away anything from Mayor Trapp, I think he's a wonderful fellow, well deserving; his time will come in my view."
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