Latrae Rahming and Clint Watson Among Senators Officially Appointed

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Nine senators received their instruments of appointment on Monday at Government House, with Prime Minister Philip Davis praising the appointees as some of the country’s “best of Bahamians.”

Phillip Drave Davis – Prime Minister

“Having been tested in the court of public opinion, or even more rigorously tested by me, as how well they are doing their job, I say without hesitation, reservation or pause, all of them are among the best of Bahamians.”

Nine senators received their instruments of appointments, three appointed under article 39 (3) of the constitution, and 6 appointed on the advice of the prime minister under article 39 (2).

Among those sworn in today, Kevin Simmons, Clint Watson, Robyn Lynes, Keno Wong, Keenan Johnson, and Latrae Rahming, along with Lashell Adderley, Jay-Ann Major, and D’Asante Small returning to the upper chamber.

On the sidelines, newly appointed Senator Latrae Rahming tells us he plans to focus heavily on youth engagement and restoring confidence in the political system.

Latrae Rahming – Senator

“I think for me…I wanna work on young people believing in the system, believing in politics. As you’re aware, you can see the amount of participation during the general election. I wanna take on that level of cynicism. I wanna get more young people involved in politics, and I think that if we could all be examples of that, I think we can.”

Also sworn in today were former PLP candidates Keno Wong and Robyn Lynes, both describing their senate appointments as an opportunity to continue serving the country after their campaigns.

Lynes returns to the senate after a nine year absence.

Robyn Lynes – Senator

“Well, I mean, I’m just happy to be a part of the government, part of the conversation. I think running in Killarney was an experience that I couldn’t pay for. It’s certainly one I would never regret, and it’s one that we have to see how it unfolds because I may just do it again.”

Keno Wong – Senator

“It’s more like a beautiful rollercoaster. You know what you have been through over the past 90 brutal days of campaigning, especially in the constituency of St. Anne’s. And to know that we did our best, and today, knowing that the prime minister has found favor in acknowledging my work, to give me an opportunity to continue to serve my country on the highest level of becoming a government senator…”

Meanwhile, newly appointed Senator Clint Watson also shares with us his priorities in the upper chamber, after sidestepping questions about his role as General Manager of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas.

Watson says his focus will be on modernizing governance and pushing for legislation impacting journalism, access to information, and media freedom.

Clint Watson – Senator

“Ensuring that we put the right laws in place that impact journalism, that impact information, people have been talking about the freedom of information, people have been talking about acts that impact governance in the 21st century. I wanna make sure that we put those in place so that we have a more progressive, modern country.”