Former NBA player Rick Fox, who was ratified by the Free National Movement (FNM) on February 3 as its candidate for Garden Hills, had been seeking a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) nomination just days earlier, Prime Minister Philip Davis told reporters yesterday — a claim Fox denied last night.
The prime minister said, “Rick Fox did reach out to me seeking to be a PLP standard bearer in this election, and up to two or three days before he was nominated, he was seeking to get a nomination for either Killarney or Long Island.”
When asked what he makes of Fox joining the FNM, Davis said, “I make nothing of it.”
When questioned by The Nassau Guardian last night, Fox said he did not seek a PLP nomination days before he was ratified by the FNM.
“I will openly share that I submitted an application for nomination to one party only. I did not shop around. I only entertained incoming inquiries,” he said.
“I am honored to have been selected to serve the people of Garden Hills and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas under the ‘More Fire’ banner of the Free National Movement.”
Fox added, “While the PLP focuses on political games, we remain committed to a simple principle: We work for you, not the few. That means holding my opponent in Garden Hills accountable for four years of absence and failed representation, and working with my fellow candidates to restore and protect our cultural institutions, especially Junkanoo, which deserve stewardship, respect, and competent leadership.
“I am here to fight for Bahamians, not trade gossip. I will not be distracted by noise when the truth and the people are on my side.”
He said, “If the prime minister wants to jump the gun and start silly season early, then let me be clear, ‘ring da bell’. We are ready to take back our country and rebuild it because: We will work for you, not just the few.”
Fox said he respects the prime minister and the office he holds, but will not allow his “do fool” crew to drag him into “revisionist political theater designed to distract Bahamian citizens from the real issues facing our country”.
He said, “Brave the friend and mentor I have known, understands that months ago he encouraged me not to run as an independent and to choose one of the major parties. He said my participation in frontline politics was too important to squander independently. I took that guidance seriously.
“I measured my values and principles carefully. I chose the team that best aligns with them. I made my decision, and I moved forward.”
After expressing an interest months ago in entering frontline politics, Fox said at the time both the PLP and the FNM were trying to scout him.
In January, he announced in a Facebook post that he will run in the new St. James constituency.
After he got the FNM nod for Garden Hills, Fox said he ultimately chose the FNM after finding that his vision aligned closely with that of the party and party leader Michael Pintard.
After being asked to share his thoughts on Fox’s ratification, Davis said last week that Fox is “where he wants to be”.
When questioned about Fox seeking a PLP nomination so close to his FNM confirmation, Pintard said he would rather focus on more pressing issues.
“The prime minister, rather than focus on the needs of the people of Grand Bahama, the issues that exist in Eleuthera with instability, with light and water, chose to get involved in personal attacks on me,” Pintard said.
“We should focus on what it is any future leader has to do to improve the plight of the Bahamian people.
“We’re excited about the men and women who have signed up to work alongside me to cast a new vision for this country.”