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Today, we asked the Opposition Leader about it, and he told us that the Western Caucus of the party is already making preparations to replace him:

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"I did receive a letter from Mr. Mahmud indicating that for personal reasons he was no longer going to seek re-election. I have accepted that letter and we have put in place a committee of the western caucus that will lead an effort to find a new candidate, a new standard bearer for Cayo North. So that process in underway and I hope that that will be completed by the end of the year, but if not certainly in early January. We've had many good people come forward. We have some exciting candidates both male and female who are interested and the party as I said will pursue a process and our objective is to find the best possible candidate to represent the people of Cayo North. It is a division we won in the last election and we have every confidence that we can retain that seat in the next election."

And while we had the opportunity, we asked Fonseca about the young Micah Goodin, who's fledging political career ended before it even started. For a time, Goodin was the PUP's man in the Collett Division, but Fonseca told us that they both agreed that it was the best decision at this time for him to stand down:

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"There were a number of issues, some personal, but there were a number of issues I think that arose. We sat down and I can tell you we spent a lot of time discussing that issue. I spent a lot of time we Micah, myself and the chairman of the eastern caucus Dr. Smith - we had many meetings to discuss the work and progress being made of his campaign in Collet and at the end of the day I think we made a decision that we thought was both in his interest and in the interest of the party that this time it was not the right time for him to pursue his candidacy in Collet. So we have move forward and again I am glad that he has express his support for the continued support for the work of the party both nationally and in Collet. He is a young man I believe with great potential and a great future in politics. But timing is important in politics as well. So yes we are moving forward and I think very shortly the party will announce our new candidate in the Collet division."

Daniel Ortiz
"There are reports in the social media that the party has decided on Ms. Shoman to represent in Collet. Is that at any all being looked at?"

Hon. Francis Fonseca
"Yes, that is true and I am hoping that Ms. Shoman will take up the challenge and be the candidate of the party in Collet. I think she will be an excellent candidate for the party in Collet. She is a hard worker, has a long history of involvement with the south side of Belize City."