Gambian US Democratic Candidate losts State Legislative Election to the Incumbent Republican

A Gambian business director and grants fiscal manager has lost in America’s November 8th general election to an incumbent Republican candidate in which he vied for Minnesota state House of representative, seeking to represent District 1A in Senate District 1.

George Bass, who left The Gambia in April, 1998, first emerged unopposed after his two challengers decided to drop out at the Democratic Party convention because he was a much stronger candidate.

In an interview with this reporter, Bass said it takes seriousness and dignity, exceptional political insight, intimate knowledge of issues the electorate care about and an unparalleled public speaking abilities to articulate complex issues to the common understanding of all, with the power to unite a community before one can be nominated by a major political party in the U.S.

He said after intended candidates declare their candidacy, present their platform to their party and go through the primary election which normally determines the ultimate nominee based on who wins the primary, his candidacy culminated in a unanimous endorsement by the DFL.

The Foni Sutusinjang born said two reasons were prominent that led to his loss, one of which, he said was because the election the year for the republicans. He said democrats got swept because of the force behind Donald Trump at the top of the republican ticket. Secondly, he said his district is 99.99% white and the lack of diversity in the district made it a lot harder for him.

Despite the uphill battle, he said in the end, he earned the trust and respect of many. "But my nomination as a major party candidate speaks to my abilities and skills in messaging and uniting people around a common agenda. My leadership skills are unparalleled,” he said.

According to Mr Bass, his political agenda is focusing on access to healthcare within the district, education, economic sustainability and agriculture. “Access to healthcare in our district must never be compromised. The significance of this issue stretches across all ages (young and old). Senior citizen care facilities must be adequate and affordable to our retirees,” Bass was quoted from his website.

During his campaign, Bass tried to convince his electorates that if they lived and work in the district all their life, they should never be forced to abandon their friends and family in their retirement due to unavailability or cost of assisted living/nursing home facilities. He said as a state representative, he will ensure that senior citizens must be respected and treated with dignity regardless of their social or economic status.

Currently the Director of Business Services at Riverland Community College, Mr. Bass said he is the only Gambian to ever win a major political party nomination and endorsement for state legislature in the United States.

With education as one of his political agenda, Bass said education is critical in shaping and strengthening the future of his district. “It is necessary for our economic stability and the wellbeing of our people. This is both true in K-12, and post-secondary education,” he said.

He said fighting for increase funding, quality teachers paid a decent wage and the provision and maintenance of a conducive environment to children will continue to be his commitment to the district.

"Leadership is what is missing in our political discourse, which is very significant because it is affecting how the legislative processes are done," he said. Basically, he noted, the electorate gets shortchanged by all the bitter partisanship. "We, the citizens, are underserved by the confusion that is created," he said.