By James Myking Suah, Grand Kru County Correspondent
BARCLAYVILLE, Aug. 8 (LINA) – Barely 24 hours after the ruling Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) endorsed Senator Peter Coleman as its candidate in the December 2020 Mid-term Senatorial election, one of the contenders in the Grand Kru County Senatorial race has withdrawn.
He is former Education Minister George Werner.
In a press statement Werner said for the past several months, it was a “privilege to interact with people across Grand Kru County, learning about the challenges they face, and discussing their priorities for the future.”
He said his reason for dropping out of the race is insufficient finance to contest against the ruling establishment candidate in the upcoming Mid-term Senatorial Election.
“Unfortunately, I have made the difficult decision to suspend my political aspiration, due to the significant resources required to mount a successful campaign under these COVID-19 circumstances,” the statement explained.
“When I first announced my intention, I noted that I was not running against anyone, but rather against time; Grand Kru still urgently needs a different voice than what we’ve been receiving and political representation is not the only way to bring out this voice,” he pointed out.
Werner, who was born in Grand Cess, said there was need to find “non-conventional ways to help our people marshal their energy to unleash their potentials”, and announced an entrepreneurial program for the county.
“Even as I suspend my ambition, I am announcing the Grand Kru Rising Business Idea Competition, a program that I hope will serve as fuel for the engine of a movement of young Grand Kru entrepreneurs,” Werner said.
He promised to provide more details about the program shortly.
“I thank all those who, in words and deeds, have given me support and guidance. I ask that you continue to stand with me in the fight to achieve our goal of making Grand Kru a proud county,” he encouraged his supporters.
Werner was Minister of Education during Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s regime and had publicly declared his support to George Weah in the 2017 General Elections.
