Candidate forum debates kick off in East End
(CNS): The five candidates contesting the geographically largest constituency in the Cayman Islands but with the fewest registered voters on Grand Cayman will be kicking off the Chamber of Commerce’s series of candidate election forums tonight. Incumbent Isaac Rankine (IND), Delmira Bodden (PPM), Roydell Carter (IND), John McLean Jr (IND) and Gueva Richards (CINP) are scheduled to appear on the platform.
The event will take place at the Chamber’s Visitor Centre in Governor’s Square and will be broadcast on its social media channels.
The forums are a long-running election tradition that has often been the only time during a campaign that the candidates battling in their respective constituency actually face each other and answer voters’ questions on constituency and national issues.
As such, they offer a rare opportunity for voters to compare their would-be representatives as they answer questions submitted by the general public and selected by the Chamber.
There are just 901 registered voters in East End. In 2021, Rankine won a three-way race against Arden McLean, the incumbent at the time, and McCleary Frederick. He got 348 votes (52.2%) compared to McLean’s 304 votes. Frederick managed just 15 votes and lost his deposit.
Since 2021, the number of registered voters has increased by 132 people from 769, an overall growth rate in the constituency of 17%, which is more than double the national growth rate in voters this election cycle of 7.8%.
According to the CNS recent ‘dream government’ straw poll, Rankine is the favourite among our readers to retain the seat.
Following tonight’s opening event, the next forum will be on Friday, when the two candidates going head to head in North Side, Jay Ebanks, the UPM candidate running as an independent, and Justin Ebanks, who is running on the PPM ticket.
To watch the debate, tune in at 7:15pm to the Chamber’s YouTube channel or Facebook page, or attend in person at Governor’s Square on the West Bay Road.
For more details about the 2025 Candidates Forums, contact Chamber CEO Wil Pineau at 743-9122 or wil.pineau@caymanchamber.ky
The forums, which all start at 7pm, have been added to the CNS Election Calendar.
Check out the CNS Election Section interactive map to see who is running in each constituency.
See the list of candidates and their party affiliations here.
Category: Election News
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The stream last night was a mess.
Sorry I had had a bit to drink and my aim was out.
My money says Dwayne Seymour wont show up for his debate.
If he does, he will have Julianna by his side so he can ask her what he should say
For sure
Help me Jesus! Mcleary only got 15 votes! I had no idea East Enders were so sensible. No problem for him though, he’s now raking in a huge salary at Ofreg. When asked recently what he was doing there a long serving employee just smiled.