A keen tussle is now on in the People’s National Party camp in North Trelawny, as at least two persons are challenging sitting Member of Parliament and the party’s candidate in the 1997 general elections, Wendell ‘Bull- Bull’ Stewart for the top job.

Among those persons who want to run on the PNP’s ticket are councillor for the Martha Brae division of the Trelawny Parish Council, Claudette Jackson, and a Cuban-trained doctor, Patrick Harris.

Stewart, however, is undaunted by the challenge, and is confident that he will rise to the occasion and continue to represent the party in that constituency.

He told the Observer that the challenge from Jackson and Harris would not deter him from continuing the work he has been doing for “the betterment” of the constituency, since becoming Member of Parliament three years ago. He added that in spite of the harsh economic conditions, he has managed to undertake a number of projects there. He cited the construction of three basic schools, expansion of the Cedric Titus Comprehensive High, Bellevue Junior High and William Knibb High School as some of the projects he has done during his stint as member of parliament. In addition, Stewart said he has also made significant contributions to the constituency in the field of sports, improved the domestic water supply in several communities, helped needy students and played a role in the resurfacing of roads.

But, despite Stewart’s achievements, he is not taking the challenge from Jackson and Harris lightly. In fact, over the past few weeks, he has been taking his list of achievements to the constituents, and will officially launch his re-election campaign at a solidarity rally to be held at the Falmouth All-Age school on July 7.

Meanwhile, Jackson, and Harris have stepped up their campaign in the constituency. Jackson however, is reported to have the grass-root supporters of the party, as well as councillor for the Wakefield division, Wellington Reid, firmly behind her. She was elected councillor for the Martha Brea division of the Trelawny Parish Council in 1998 when she defeated Owen Jeremiah of the Jamaica Labour Party by a majority of 680 votes.

“Jackson is going to be a force to reckon with. She has a lot of political experience,” a party source told the Observer. She has been a member of the party’s National Executive Council since 1993 and was at one time chairman for Region 1.

Her intention to represent the party at the constituency level, is not new. In 1996 she was narrowly defeated by Stewart when delegates of the party voted for a replacement for the then member of Parliament, Desmond Leakey, who was leaving representational politics. Jackson told the Observer that she was asked by party supporters in the constituency to enter the race because of her years of unbroken service to the party. She pointed out further, that since she began her campaign two weeks, the response from the people have been “positive”.

Harris on the other hand, lacks political experience. He has been working in the constituency since early this year. When contacted by the Observer earlier this week, he declined comment on his political ambition and said he was not yet ready to discuss the matter.

But the Observer sources say Harris has the blessings of the constituency’s business community as well as the support of councillor and chairman of the Trelawny Parish Council, Joseph Wright. Harris is also said to be well-received in the communities of Deeside and Dromilly and is making inroads in other districts.