Monrovia – With the 2029 Presidential and Legislative Elections still far ahead, there are clear writings on the wall that the current President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate would have a test to face in these elections, with potential challengers already somewhat making their intentions clear for the Grand Bassa County’s highest political seat.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
Gabriel Montgomery, one of the many prominent citizens tipped to challenge the Grand Bassa County Senator and head of the Liberian Senate, has openly made it clear that he has no desire to settle down for a representative seat.
Though he has been widely listed as one of the would-be candidates for the Grand Bassa Senatorial race, speculations have recently rife among the ‘Bassa community’ that he was rather choosing another path – preferably the House of Representatives.
However, while speaking at a news conference in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County over the week, Mr. Montgomery, who currently serves as Deputy Commissioner General for Technical Affairs (DCGTA) at the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), debunked rumors linking him to the Lower House of the Liberian Legislature rather than the Senate.
Famously regarded as one of the best chairpersons of the Bassa Sports Association (BSA), clarified that he absolutely has no ‘no room for a representative seat.’
Mr. Montgomery stated that while he has no current intention of running for the position of a district representative, he is eying the ‘bigger ball.’ “I have no room for a representative seat. We are keeping our eyes on the bigger ball,” stated the prominent Bassaian.
While he did not explicitly explain what the ‘bigger ball’ is, his assertion infers earlier speculation linking him to contesting for the Senate.
He labeled the circulating reports linking him to the House of Representatives as misinformation spread by political operatives.
While pointing out that no legislative vacancies currently exist, he emphasized that any future decision to seek office would be communicated directly by him rather than through speculation.
Throughout the briefing, he maintained that his primary focus remains on humanitarian work and restoring his county’s influence as a top-tier political power.
Mr. Montgomery suggested that the fear surrounding his potential candidacy proves that the desire for change is growing among the citizenry.
The top LRA official then reaffirmed his commitment to his professional duties while leaving the door open to serving his county should he choose to leave his current role in the future.
Ever since he stepped down as Chairman of the BSA, there has been growing speculation that Montgomery would be a formidable force in the 2029 process for the Senate seat. Though he is yet to endorse this speculation, his latest news conference wherein he debunked the rumors for a representative seat, while suggesting a ‘bigger ball’ speaks volume of his intention to rival the President Pro-Tempore Karnga-Lawrence.
