FranzdeFreitas

Franz Chalver deFreitas is perhaps the most publicly visible UPP candidate - not because of a parliamentary seat, but because he spent years as the co-host of Observer Radio's flagship Voice of the People programme, where his sharp commentary on governance, accountability, and social policy earned him a devoted following and more than a few powerful enemies. Born and raised in the Ovals community in St. John's to educator parents, deFreitas brings a civic formation shaped by family values of service. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Oakwood College in Alabama and built a professional career in financial services with firms including General Motors, Salomon Smith Barney, Citco Fund Services, and Bank of New York Mellon. He returned to Antigua to launch Youth LEED, a youth development programme focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, emotional intelligence, and public speaking - a mission that reflects his core conviction that governance starts with investing in people. He contested St. John's City South in the 2023 elections, where he pushed the Attorney General to a 904-495 result - respectable in a seat with heavy incumbency advantages. Now shifted to St. Paul following the withdrawal of the original candidate, deFreitas brings his media profile, his financial expertise, and his well-documented policy frameworks - including "Project Guardian," his comprehensive youth policy document - to a constituency where the Labour incumbent E.P. Chet Greene will face a tenacious and well-prepared challenger.