Sen. Michael Scott was last night expected to be ratified as the ruling party's candidate for the Sandys North by-election on March 4.

Sen. Scott will have to resign his Senate seat in order to contest the seat made vacant by the death of Finance Minister Eugene Cox.

He won the Sandys North branch nomination last week after outpolling eight other contestants in the voting. But the party's central committee, which discussed the nomination at a meeting last night, has the final say on who represents the party at elections.

National Liberal Party spokesperson Graeme Outerbridge, who has contested five elections in Somerset and Smiths South, confirmed that he will not be running in the Sandys North by-election.

But he threw his support behind Sen. Scott.

“Of the two persons running up there he's the person who deserves to be elected. He's worked hard and diligently for what he believes in and run in difficult areas which were traditionally UBP safe areas and marginalised them in favour of the ruling party,” Mr. Outerbridge said.

“And having grown up with him in Somerset, I know the decency and strong character he possesses and I consider him a brother. He's a good friend.”

He added: “The challenge for Michael and the rest of the PLP incumbents out there is to get off their backsides and really do something for the Somerset community. I think Michael will make a difference out there that hasn't been made so far, and I was greatly heartened when I saw the results of the primary - it said to me good guys don't always finish last.”

Corin Smith has been chosen as the Opposition United Bermuda Party (UBP) candidate.