AS the world watches with interest United States President-elect Donald Trump’s picks to fill key roles in his Administration, local political watchers are also paying keen attention to who Prime Minister Andrew Holness will pick to fill two vacant seats in the Senate.

The governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is down to 11 of its 13 members of the Upper House following the September 2 resignation of Matthew Samuda and the recent resignation of Don Wehby.

With Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith’s growing reputation in international circles, she is often off the island representing Jamaica at major events — including the Second Caricom-India Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, this week — which could see her missing sittings of the Senate.

In addition, the growing demands on the time of Senator Dana Morris Dixon as the minister of education, skills, youth and information could see her also missing sittings, leaving Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson in a position where he might have to delay debate on some pieces of legislation if the eight People’s National Party senators are present.

With this in mind, political watchers expect Holness to name the two new senators shortly, with speculation increasing about his possible choices.

Jamaica Observer sources say the early betting has seen former Member of Parliament (MP) for St Ann North Eastern Marsha Smith and chartered accountant Alok Jain emerge as favourites.

Smith could be a natural choice to help Morris Dixon with the heavy lifting in the education ministry, having served there as state minister up to the time of her resignation as MP.

She had a contentious relationship with several JLP supporters in the St Ann North Eastern constituency but was expected to see out her term, though not contest the next general election.

However she was nudged, or some say pushed, by the leadership of the JLP to walk early, paving the way for Samuda to enter the House of Representatives. Her reward for being a “team player” could be a quick return to her post through the Senate.

Jain is one of Holness’s key advisors who has been sent to the finance ministry to provide support for new Finance Minister Fayval Williams. He could get the authority that he needs in that ministry by being appointed a minister without portfolio.

But the sources point out that Holness has repeatedly indicated that he is a chess player, and they would not be surprised if his selections ignore who people believe are the two obvious choices, particularly in light of suggestions that Jain might not be interested in being in the Senate.

Outside of the favourites, several other names are being advanced, including senior strategist in the Ministry of Tourism Delano Seiveright and the increasingly vocal Marlon Morgan, who is a lead member of the JLP’s communication team.

The two are expected to play key roles in the Government if the JLP wins the next general election, and Holness could use the time between now and when Parliament is dissolved to give them an introduction to the functioning of the legislative side of government.

This would also signal that Holness is starting the freshening of his Administration in preparation for an electoral victory.

However, some political watchers say they expect Holness to make a selection out of left field, such as Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks whose tour of duty should end shortly.

Marks is highly respected in local and international circles and has performed creditably in the eight years during which she has headed Jamaica’s embassy in Washington.

Her selection would signal that Holness has plans for her in his Administration if he is elected to form the next Government.

The name of a prominent former banker and financial analyst in the private sector has also emerged as a possible choice, with Sunday Observer sources saying he has already indicated to close associates that he is headed to the Senate.

The Sunday Observer has opted to withhold the name of the former banker, who holds a PhD in International Finance, because he is still in a leadership role with a prominent financial institution.

There has been no signal yet from Holness as to when he will make the announcement of his selections but the sources say “it will be long before Christmas” and could be “two people none of the analysts considered”.