Three-Way Race Set for PUP Punta Gorda Mayoral Nomination

The People’s United Party (PUP) will hold a delegate convention in Punta Gorda Town on Sunday, August 16, to determine the team that will carry the party’s banner into the March 2027 municipal elections.  Three candidates are seeking the mayoral nomination: incumbent Mayor Carlos “Obeah” Galvez, former Mayor Francis “Doc” Arzu Senior and Maclovio Ack.  The councillor contest features twelve candidates competing for six positions. Running with Team Galvez are Jahrine Avila, Indira Coleman, Malcolm Galvez, Luana Hines, Mary Palacio and Roberto Virez.  Team Ack comprises Gloria Maria Avila, Anthony Fuentes, Kerlin “Kay” Moreira, Tivi Isani Ramos and Olivia “Asi” Sho. Neville Arzu is contesting under Team Arzu.  While all three mayoral candidates are established figures in Punta Gorda, Galvez enters the race with the advantage of incumbency and extensive municipal experience. His political history stretches back at least two decades.  Galvez was elected mayor in 2006, emerging as the only PUP candidate to win a seat on a Town Council otherwise controlled by the UDP. He governed under the difficult circumstances of a politically divided council until 2009.  In March 2024, he led the PUP to victory and returned to Town Hall after a thirteen-year absence from municipal politics. PUP supporters will select one mayoral candidate and any six councillor candidates appearing on the ballot. The successful mayoral contender and the six councillor candidates receiving the highest totals will form the PUP’s official Punta Gorda ticket.