Barrister-at-law, Dwight Horsford is one step closer to getting the nod to contest the St. George North-east seat for the ruling New National Party (NNP) government in the next general election.

Horsford was elected over the weekend as Chairman of the NNP Constituency Branch, the group that would spearhead the party's work in the area. He defeated arch-rival Kennedy Roberts, the NNP Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the important post.

Prior to the vote, both Horsford and Roberts were openly campaigning against each other among NNP supporters to assume the leadership role in the constituency. Roberts had seemingly dropped out of the race but confided in close aides a few weeks ago that he is "back in the race" as a prospective candidate.

Party insiders have said that Horsford seemingly had the support of influential members of the government and hierarchy of the party to head the grouping. One insider said that there was resentment of Roberts in some quarters due to his political past and deportment in public.

The election was witnessed by NNP's Deputy Political Leader, Gregory Bowen and General Secretary, Claris Charles. If selected as the caretaker candidate, Horsford would be seeking to win the seat for the NNP against the incumbent, Nazim Burke of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The ruling party with a slender one-seat majority in parliament, is currently on the hunt for candidates in several constituencies on the island such as St. Patrick East, St. Andrew North-west, and St. David's in particular.

General elections are constitutionally due in another two years.