ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – Abigail Thomas couldn’t contain her excitement as she prepared to cast a ballot for her father Leon Thomas at the Greater Portmore High School in St Catherine.

“It’s very exciting; it’s the first time I’m doing something like this,” she told Observer Online Monday morning.

Leon Thomas is the incumbent mayor-candidate representing the People’s National Party (PNP) in the Portmore Municipality. He is going up against the Jamaica Labour Party’s Markland Edwards and independent candidate, Howard Hamilton in Monday’s high stakes local government election.

Abigail admitted that “I don’t even know how to go about it, but after this I should have experience and I will be voting a lot afterwards”.

“I’m doing it to not only support my father but to help to better Portmore and he’s the best person I think for Portmore,” the university student who travelled from Florida said. She confessed that she should be in school but said she would not miss the opportunity to support her dad.

“I love my father so much and I just wanted to make sure I’m here on a day when he truly needs me, that’s why I’m giving him the support,” Abigail said.

Also travelling from Florida to support Thomas was his niece, Carett Derrett.

“It’s my second time voting,” she said.

When asked how she thought the mayor’s race would shake out, Derrett said: “Victory for Leon Thomas”.

Leon Thomas, who cast his vote around 10:30 am, was also accompanied by his wife, his other daughter Amoy, and other nieces.