Widow of late Barbadian PM to run in byelection

Mara Thompson will run as a candidate of the Democratic Labour Party in Barbados in the by election to fill the seat left vacant by her late husband, Prime Minister David Thompson.

She won the overwhelming support of constituents Sunday (60 of 69 votes) in the St John constituency, which her husband had represented until his death three months ago. The DLP’s general council later ratified the vote.

Thompson's opponent from the opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) is businessman Hudson Griffith. The vote is on January 20.

Political observers say it would be almost impossible for anyone to beat Thompson’s widow. This view is based on the late Prime Minister's popularity among constituents and a sympathy vote in favour of his widow. 

Hartley Henry, who was one of Thompson's closet advisers, has indicated he will be assisting in Mara’s campaign.