Randy Baltimore, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party candidate for the March 16 St. Philip’s North by-election, says residents have warmly received his door-to-door campaign as he seeks to succeed Sir Robin Yearwood.

Baltimore faces former Senator Alex Browne, who resigned from the Upper House last week to contest the seat.

He said canvassing alongside Prime Minister Gaston Browne, party chairman E.P. Chet Greene and Minister Rawdon Turner strengthened the outreach effort.

“Going house to house, canvassing, the residents receive us very warmly, and I must say that they pledged their support for me going forward for the by-elections,” Baltimore said.

A longtime campaign manager for Sir Robin, Baltimore described his transition to candidate as seamless. “I know the people. I’ve been doing it for a number of years, so the transition has been very smooth and easy for me because I am grounded in the community,” he said.

His campaign team, largely made up of young supporters from Willoughby Bay, Seatons, Glanvilles and Newfield, is focusing on voter registration in the lead-up to polling day.

Baltimore outlined three priorities: expanding scholarship opportunities, improving services at the Glanvilles Polyclinic including the opening of a pharmacy, and promoting economic empowerment through job placement and business support.

“I will pledge to the constituents that I will work diligently to ensure that these three main pillars are really looked into so that we can bring more comfort to the constituents,” he said.

Young supporter Jawan Jackson said Baltimore represents “a new and a fresh individual” and urged constituents to consider his record of work in the community.