TURKS AND CAICOS | Premiert Charles Misick, PNP, Wins Landslide Electoral Victory

TURKS AND CAICOS - February 8, 2025 - In a commanding display of electoral dominance, Premier Charles Washington Misick and his Progressive National Party (PNP) secured a sweeping victory in Friday's Turks and Caicos Islands general elections, clinching 16 of 19 available seats and cementing their hold on power for a second consecutive term.

The February 7 polls saw the PNP capture seven of ten local constituencies and make a clean sweep of all nine At-Large seats, dealing a decisive blow to the opposition People's Democratic Movement (PDM). In what became a night of razor-thin margins and political drama, two seats required recounts, with The Bight constituency decided by a single vote.

Despite the PNP's overwhelming victory, the election delivered several surprising upsets. PDM leader Edwin Astwood maintained his stronghold in Grand Turk South, securing a third consecutive term, while political newcomer Audric Skippings claimed The Bight by the narrowest of margins. Perhaps the night's biggest shock came from independent candidate Tamelle Seymour, who wrestled the traditionally PNP-loyal South Caicos seat from incumbent John Malcolm.

Addressing a jubilant crowd at PNP headquarters on Airport Road, Premier Misick struck a tone of unity and forward vision. "Tonight's victory belongs to you, the people," he declared to thunderous applause. "Because of you, we will be able to continue our work to build these Turks and Caicos Islands for our children and our children's children."

In a gesture of reconciliation, Misick extended an olive branch to opposition supporters, pledging inclusive governance regardless of political affiliation. "I want every one of you to be on this journey with us, whether you voted PNP, PDM or Independent," he emphasized. "To those Islanders who did not vote for me or the PNP, I hope our work, programs and policies will earn your support and blessing. I will hear your voices, and I will be your Premier too."

The Premier, acknowledging the road ahead, tempered celebration with pragmatism. "No journey is without bumps and setbacks," he cautioned. "You won't always agree with the decisions we make, but I will always be honest with you about why we make certain decisions and the challenges we face." His message was clear: come Monday, the focus returns to governance.

The election's nail-biting moments came in two constituencies. In The Bight, PDM's Audric Skippings edged out PNP's Matthew "Jay" Stubbs by a mere vote, 359 to 358. Blue Hills saw similarly tight margins, with PNP's Randy Harris securing victory by just four votes over PDM's challenger, 368 to 364.

South Caicos provided the night's most dramatic upset, as independent Tamell Seymour (165 votes) broke the PNP's decades-long grip on the constituency, decisively defeating both PNP incumbent John Malcolm (104) and PDM's Hynetta Karen Forbes (28).

Across other constituencies, the PNP's dominance was evident. In Five Cays, South Dock and Chalk Sound, Rachel Taylor delivered one of the night's most decisive victories for the PNP, commanding 657 votes to PDM's Bryant Cox's 298. The Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill race saw Samuel Been of the PNP (552) handily defeat PDM's Finbar Grant (354).

The Leeward and Long Bay constituency demonstrated similar PNP strength, with Akierra Missick more than doubling her PDM opponent's count, securing 461 votes to Keith Cox's 212. In North Caicos, Arlington "Chuck" Musgrove maintained the PNP's momentum with 371 votes, far outpacing PDM's Denaz Williams who garnered 144.

Grand Turk's political landscape split between the parties. While the PNP's Otis Morris claimed the north with 377 votes against George Lightbourne's 195, the south remained PDM territory under Edwin Astwood's leadership. Astwood secured 353 votes, besting PNP's Walter Gardiner Snr. (315) and independent Derek Been (50).

The Wheeland constituency epitomized the night's competitive spirit, with PNP's Kyle Knowles amassing 394 and PDM's Vaden Delroy Williams finishing with a total of  255 votes .

Misick concluded his victory speech with an ambitious vision for the archipelago's future: "We will create the conditions and opportunities to give all our people a better quality of life. Faith and hope are our guiding lights. No matter the challenges, let us come together with a single purpose - to make our Beautiful by Nature Turks and Caicos Islands the place where dreams flourish, justice abounds, love is abundant, and hope is endless."

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