FNM struggles to find safe seat for Chairman Dr. Duane Sands

As the Free National Movement (FNM) moves to finalize its slate of candidates for the 2026 General Election, party insiders say the opposition is struggling to secure a winnable seat for its chairman, Dr. Duane Sands.

Sands, a respected heart surgeon and former Minister of Health, has had a mixed record at the polls. He previously contested the Elizabeth constituency four times, winning only once — during the FNM’s landslide victory in 2017. However, in the 2021 General Election, Sands was soundly defeated by Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) candidate JoBeth Coleby-Davis, who has since solidified her support base there.

According to FNM insiders, recent polling shows Coleby-Davis remains firmly in control of Elizabeth, making another run for Sands highly unlikely.

Sands is said to have briefly considered contesting Killarney, but that option was complicated by the presence of sitting MP Dr. Hubert Minnis. Minnis, who led the FNM to victory in 2017, plans to run as an independent after being denied a party nomination. Party strategists fear a bitter battle between Sands and Minnis could split the FNM vote, effectively handing the seat to the PLP.

With Elizabeth and Killarney off the table, attention has now turned to Long Island, where incumbent MP Adrian Gibson faces corruption charges and is not expected to be renominated. Some FNM members believe Sands could find a more favorable reception there, given Long Island’s strong pro-FNM history.

Still, the move is not without its risks. While Sands’ professional credentials and experience make him an attractive candidate on paper, several within the party privately admit he struggles to connect with everyday voters.

“He’s brilliant and articulate, but there’s a perception problem,” an insider noted. “People respect him, but they don’t always relate to him.”