NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former NBA player and Bahamian Ambassador-at-Large Rick Fox has confirmed via social media that he intends to run for the newly created St. James constituency in the 2026 General Election.
In recent months, Fox has been increasingly vocal on national issues and said St. James is where his family lives, where he works, and where he plans to “plant his life permanently.”
He has not yet indicated whether he will align himself with a specific political party. When asked about Fox’s potential candidacy, Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard said he is the type of candidate the party would consider.
Progressive Liberal Party reaction has been more pointed. Foreign Affairs Minister and PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell has publicly reiterated that ambassadors are expected to represent and support the sitting government’s mandate, and if they cannot, the “honourable course of action is clear.”
Fox has responded by saying he has zero intention of stepping down from his diplomatic role at this time and has urged political leaders to focus on broader national concerns, including voter apathy, which he has described as a major challenge ahead of the 2026 election.
No official party nomination or affiliation has been announced at this time.
