WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The Trump administration on Wednesday congratulated Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis on his victory in Tuesday’s general elections.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with the Government of the Bahamas to advance transparent and reliable economic and infrastructure partnerships that support sustainable growth, regional stability and increased opportunity for both Americans and Bahamians,” said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement.

“The United States appreciates the efforts of domestic and international observers, including the Organization of American States Electoral Observation Mission, which helped reinforce transparency and confidence in The Bahamas’ general elections,” he added.

On Tuesday, Davis led the incumbent Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to a record second consecutive term in office after sweeping the elections that he called ahead of the constitutional deadline.

No political party in the Bahamas has ever formed the government for two consecutive terms since 1997, when Hubert Ingraham led the then ruling Free National Movement (FNM) to victory after toppling the PLP in 1992.

Davis had guided his PLP to power in the September 16, 2021 general elections, winning 32 of the 39 seats in the Legislature.

While the Parliamentary Registration Department (PRD) is yet to release the full results in Tuesday’s general elections, the PLP is on schedule to win another significant majority in the 41-seat Parliament.

Davis told jubilant supporters that, while the results of the elections will “take time”, he was grateful that Bahamians made their choice.

“Today, the Bahamian people chose progress,” he said. “Yes, today, the Bahamian people chose to move forward — forward with our plans, forward with our team and forward with my leadership.”

“For all your trust and faith in our vision, we thank you,” Davis added. “We thank you for sharing our confidence that together we can continue to build a better Bahamas.”

In conceding defeat, leader of the main Opposition Free National Movement (FNM), Michael Pintard, lauded the youth who voted for the FNM for the first time.

“I want to say to you that your commitment today should not leave you wondering tonight whether your vote mattered,” he said. “I want you to hear us; it mattered.”

“You stood in line and cast a ballot for the Bahamas you believed in,” Pintard added. “That is something significant. That’s everything. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise.”

“To the Bahamians who have been with the FNM since the days of success, those who voted in every election since 1972, who’ve watched victories and watched losses, and who is sitting tonight wondering if the long road was worth it, I say to you that it was,” he continued.

Among the casualties in the general elections is former prime minister Dr Hubert Minnis, who contested the elections as an independent candidate for the Killarney seat after the FNM declined to support his candidature.

Minnis, who has represented the western New Providence constituency (Killarney) since 2007, was the first Bahamian prime minister to contest general elections as an independent.

He said his decision was driven by a belief that there is still work to be done for the country.