We spoke to Almendarez this afternoon to find out if this is just some kind of political stunt:

David Almendarez, UDP Belize Rural Central
"Change. I want change. Um, they say I got the biggest mouth. So I want to put my heart and soul and works where my mouth is. The way I look on it, Shyne no got no baggage yet. He has never been in power to say he thief yet."

"Everybody else could say that side corrupt and that side corrupt. This is a time for change. Legitimate change."

Jules Vasquez
"You know, your chances of being elected are extremely low. A, you're a newcomer. B, you are one of two U.D.P's who will run because Beverly Williams will run for Tracy's U.D.P. And you are running for Shyne's U.D.P. So any U.D.P. Loyalists will be torn between these two things."

David Almendarez, UDP Belize Rural Central
"I am not going for party, I am going for people. It's time for us to stop this U.D.P./P.U.P. nonsense. We represent one set of people, one set of voters and I tell the voters, give me a chance over any of the other 2 other people."

"We have seen the works of them before. They are not new, they are not change. I come for win. I name David and I am facing Goliath. I know my chances is not super wonderful, but I know I want to put my heart, my soul and show throw the pot spoon, the pat, everything in this."

Jules Vasquez
"But you're coming under Shyne Barrow. Who one of the main criticisms of him by those who have split from his leadership. They say he's a dictator."

David Almendarez, UDP Belize Rural Central
"Um, so I'm very strong will. I'm a country first kind of person. Before I even get to this level, I had serious dialogue with Shyne. Just like Belize, I didn't know Shyne. I don't know who is Shyne and when this idea first pop up, I have to sit on a reason with him. Get to know him on a different level, to see how is Shyne? What are going with him? And to be quite honest, I don't have nothing negative to say about the others, but I'm glad that the others gone over the other side, because everything from the others, is what the country reject."

"I am not radicalists. I have positive views for my country. My campaign will be run on positiveness, how we are lower the cost of living, how we are tackling unemployment, how will we give the youths another option other than call centers, how will we create housing for people."

Jules Vasquez
"The UDP is a mainstream establishment party with these radical views that you have. You should have run independent."

David Almendarez, UDP Belize Rural Central
"Let's be real. Nobody in Belize will vote for no independent party. Even if they come with the best ideas and the most vibrant ideas."

"One of my best friends are Mose Hyde and Cordel Hyde, I should have been in the PUP, sucking up the titty and enjoy up the milk like everybody else. But I love my country enough, to know, the way they go right now, its not the correct way."

"We can't continue to rob the cookie jar, rob the cookie jar, lie to we, sell us dreams and expect to have a productive country."

Jules Vasquez
"How would you answer the criticism that Shyne just the use you, because they need somebody to put at rural, you know a maverick, you know, you can make some good trouble or a lot of noise. But you don't any real chance of beating Dolores Balderamos Garcia, and you not got a good chance to beat Bev. So, you're not just a placeholder."

David Almendarez, UDP Belize Rural Central
"No, I tend to see it different. The way I see it is Hutchison beat Ralph Fonseca. Who Bev beat?"

Jules Vasquez
"Dolores."

David Almendarez, UDP Belize Rural Central
"She is beatable. What has she done? Is she special? Has she done anything for us? I mean, come look at our streets. Our streets are worst that the day of election. Look at where we live. We only see a white Prado pop up and pop down - they have fancy dinner with their crew in the restaurants around here. I have not seen her do anything for my community. I don't see her around. I heard her speak eloquently and maybe she is a good minister. I don't want to be a minister, I want to represent my people."

Jules Vasquez
"You are one of the most vocal critics of corruption in government. You are Mr. liable man. We have to watch when you go on air, because the politician lawyers are on standby. But how would you answer the criticism that you just want to get at the same spot to do the same thing; eat and feed who is around you, so when you, so when you win you only will get a contract, Tom will get a contract - all your little FECTAB friends."

David Almendarez, UDP Belize Rural Central
"They deserve it. Every local Belizean operator deserve a contract. So if that you will blast me about - blast me away. I am here for the poor man."

Jules Vasquez
"Were UDP to win by some great miracle and were you to win by an even greater miracle, you see this shirt here, it will turn Guayabera. You see these old vehicle here, you got a old van here, you got a old Prado there - all of them will turn to brand new."

"You see this structure here, this structure will turn cement. This will be a gleaming place. That is what will happen David Almendarez. You will be going in the same system that you have criticized and you are going to help yourself."

David Almendarez, UDP Belize Rural Central
"I'm glad that you're mentioning the structures and you're mentioned everything. It goes to show that I'm a productive Belizean. Because I am not a politician. I hate politics. And when you induce that I will want this, I challenge my people. If I get elected and you see me, the roll about, I challenge you. I am not that, I am for help."

Jules Vasquez
"David Almendarez, UDP."

David Almendarez, UDP Belize Rural Central
"David Almendarez Belize first, 100% Belizean. and we will use the UDP machinery to get there."

Reports from the Panton camp say that Barrow is also looking for new candidates in Albert, Collet, Belmopan and Queen Square, among others.