The name Ianthia Wade has never been on the ballot but that doesn’t mean she’s new to the game of politics.

The widow of former Opposition Leader Freddie Wade has thrown her name into a pool of potential Progressive Labour Party candidates for the next election. And if the last election is any indication the party is almost certain to select her. And she’s ready.

Mrs. Wade said in a telephone interview last night: “When I look at the contribution my husband made and the commitment to his country, I feel there’s something I have to contribute. I feel that I can represent the people because I’m a people person. I consider myself extremely smart. I think I have good ideas. And I think whatever constituency that I get chosen for I will put my heart and soul into it to represent every constituent - whether they are black, white, UBP or PLP.”

When Mrs. Wade talks about her likely run, she doesn’t use the word ‘if’, she says ‘when’.

She may have a point.

The PLP wanted Mrs. Wade to run in the last election, but she was reluctant. By the time she said yes it was too late, someone else had been chosen. This time though she says the time is right and the couple’s triplets, 16, are behind her.

“We sat down and had that little family conference.

“I told them you have to be prepared for the fact that someone will say ‘Your mother’s just running because she thinks she can win because of who your daddy is’ and so forth. I told them these are the things you’re going to be faced with. I said, ‘But the reality is if I was running on the coattails of your father I would have run 11 years ago’.”

Mrs. Wade is a 51-year-old healthcare administrator living in Southampton. She’s been on the staff at Summer Haven, an assisted living facility for the physically challenged, for 21 years. She also spent time on the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

Today she will be present when the Premier renames the airport in her husband’s name. Sometime later this year the Premier may ask her to run for office, potentially putting the name Wade back in the House of Assembly.