FNM Taps Senator Michaela Barnett-Ellis for Killarney

The Free National Movement (FNM) is reportedly selecting Senator Michaela Barnett-Ellis as its candidate for the Killarney constituency in the upcoming 2026 general election, according to party sources.

Barnett-Ellis, daughter of FNM stalwart Sir Michael Barnett, was appointed to the Senate in 2021 after the FNM's defeat in the last general election. Senior party insiders believe her strong political pedigree and connections make her a strategic pick to challenge current Killarney MP Dr. Hubert Minnis.

Although Minnis is still the sitting FNM MP for the area, party leader Michael Pintard has confirmed he will not receive the party’s nomination for 2026.

Despite this, Minnis has expressed his intent to run in the upcoming election and remains confident of victory, though he has not clarified whether he will contest the seat as an independent.

The FNM announced 17 candidates in June, with Killarney expected to be among the last constituencies for which a candidate is officially declared.