He was the first Mayor of the capital city, swept into the post and kept there by landslide victories. And retiring after two terms, Anthony Chanona was considered a shoe-in as PUP standard bearer for the newly created Belmopan seat. And almost as a coronation, the Prime Minister made the bearer-in-waiting a government senator.
Would have been a perfect story were it not for yesterday's bitter ending at yesterday's Belmopan convention. Chanona lost to Moises Cal, a political newcomer. Of the 826 votes cast, 806 were good, and Chanona reportedly lost by 116, 345 to 461.
So what went wrong with what had been a promising candidacy? PUP insiders tell us that apparently, during his term as Mayor, Chanona had alienated the Cayo South Committee, the same folks who go out and mobilize voters. Without that key support and the fact that Eloy Waight, the son of long time representative Sam Waight was supporting Cal, Chanona's chances were dashed.
Cal will now face UDP area representative John Saldivar.
