Dominican businessman Gregor Nassief has officially announced his candidacy as an independent candidate for the Mahaut Constituency in the upcoming general election. Framing his campaign around economic opportunity and democratic integrity, Nassief stated that after years of raising concerns about the nation’s direction, speaking alone was no longer enough. He emphasized that running as an independent allows him to represent every resident without party dictates, judging issues strictly on their merits and putting the people first.
The announcement follows Nassief’s extensive visits to 15 communities across the constituency, where he observed severe economic stagnation, a rising cost of living, neglected infrastructure, and youth facing a lack of job opportunities and sports facilities. He also highlighted pressing social issues, including transportation barriers for school children, inadequate support for children with special needs, and social assistance being compromised by political favoritism. Nassief strongly defended the resourcefulness of local youth, warning that a lack of fair opportunities forces them to lose confidence in Dominica’s future.
The central pillar of Nassief’s campaign is the deliberate creation of an environment where residents can secure meaningful work, build wealth, and live with dignity. Drawing from his family’s business background, he pledged to build a capable constituency team that connects residents with services and mobilizes the diaspora and investors. Rejecting top-down governance, Nassief committed to listening to residents to co-create community plans, promising that social assistance will be based strictly on need rather than political loyalty.
He concluded with a strong call for electoral integrity, declaring that a citizen’s vote is not for sale, and pledged to continue his community outreach in the weeks ahead.
Below is the full text of Nassief’s statement with video of the statement at the bottom of the article.
Residents of the Mahaut Constituency, and my fellow Dominicans.
Today, I am announcing my candidacy as an independent candidate for the Mahaut Constituency in the next general election.
I am running to help build a constituency where people can earn a decent living, create a secure future and vote freely.
I enter this race not out of ambition, but out of deep concern for our democracy, our economy and our future. After years of raising concerns about the direction of our country, I have concluded that speaking alone is no longer enough. I feel a responsibility to step forward, offer my time, energy and commitment, and work with others to build a better future.
I will remain true to my values and put the Mahaut Constituency and its people first. Independence allows me to represent every resident, judge each issue on its merits and work with others whenever it serves the public interest.
My vision is national, but my immediate responsibility is to the Mahaut Constituency. I have visited Belfast, Campbell, Canefield, Corona, Despor, Jimmit, Layou Park, Mahaut, Massacre, Roger, Springfield, Sultan, Sylvania, Tarreau and Warner. I have seen neglect, hardship and poverty, but above all, talent, possibility and hope.
Residents have spoken about a stagnant economy and the lack of good work opportunities, the rising cost of living, neglected communities, too few facilities and activities for young people and sports, the difficulty some families face getting their children to school, inadequate support for children with special needs, and assistance and opportunities too often influenced by political favouritism.
I have spoken with many young people, and the idea that they do not want to help themselves is simply not true. They are talented, resourceful and eager to succeed. What they need is a fair chance to put their talents to work, earn a decent living and build a future for themselves and their families. When opportunities remain out of reach, young people lose confidence that Dominica has a place for them. We must prove otherwise.
I believe deeply in Dominica. We have talented people, extraordinary biodiversity, clean air and water, fertile land that supports our farmers and agriculture, fresh local food, a rich marine environment that sustains our fishers and coastal communities, endless adventure, room to breathe, and a way of life rooted in nature and community that is increasingly rare. These are assets of global value, but potential does not automatically become prosperity.
The central idea of my campaign is creating opportunities for people to build better lives. I want an environment in which people can find meaningful work, build businesses, own assets, create wealth and provide for their families with dignity. Through the businesses my family and I have built, I have seen people develop skills, grow into leadership and support their families. I want our young people to see a future here, and those who have left to see a reason to return. Opportunity must be deliberately built, not simply promised.
Assistance should be based on need, delivered with dignity and never made conditional on political loyalty. Children, seniors, persons with disabilities and families facing hardship must be protected. Helping people become more independent does not mean turning our backs on those who need support. Wherever possible, assistance should also help people build a more secure and independent future.
I do not come with a finished plan to impose. I come with a commitment to listen and build the plan with you. Together, we will identify the opportunities, assets, barriers and priorities of every community. I will advocate for government to meet its responsibilities, but I will not depend on government alone. I also want the Mahaut Constituency to pioneer a new approach to representation. We will build a capable constituency team, connect residents with services and opportunities, and mobilize businesses, investors, the diaspora and community groups around clear priorities and measurable results. None of this will happen overnight. It will take hard work, persistence and all of us working together, but it can and will be achieved.
No leader has all the answers. Good leadership means listening, building strong teams, respecting different views, measuring results and reporting honestly. It also requires fairness, transparency and freedom. Politics must never place a price on a citizen’s vote. Our vote is not for sale. It is our voice, our dignity and our power.
In the weeks ahead, I will continue visiting communities, homes and businesses to hear your challenges and ideas. Most people I meet say change is needed, but not everyone believes it is possible. I am here to say that it is. When we believe in change and participate, we become the change.
The Mahaut Constituency and Dominica have extraordinary potential. Let us recognize our value, protect what matters, create opportunity and build prosperity together.
Thank you.
