Liberia: “Sen. Karnga-Lawrence is the Next Senate Pro-Tempore”

Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, is poised to be elected to the post of Senate Pro-Tempore on a white ballot today, impeccable sources have told the Daily Observer. 

After securing the support of the majority members of the Senate, who have already signed a resolution, Karnga-Lawrence will receive the gavel today in the chamber of the Senate through a ceremonial electoral process — a reward for not only leading a robust campaign that ensured victory for the Unity Party Alliance but for standing with President-elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai when major allies abandoned the cause, putting his presidential ambition at risk.

This inevitable victory that is expected today will put Karnga-Lawrence on track to become Liberia’s second female President Pro Tempore of the Senate. With the support of over 17 senators, Karnga-Lawrence is set to achieve this historic milestone.

Kanrga-Lawrence served as chair for the Unity Party alliance campaign team that got Joseph N. Boakai and Jeremiah Kpan-Koung elected on November 14, 2023, and immediately declared her intention for the Pro Tempore seat.

The senator, who will today begin the fourth year of her nine-year term, posted on her Facebook wall, saying, “My mouth full seh! We give God the glory,” a post that suggests that she was overwhelmed by the feat.

She is contesting the position against her kinsman and senate County colleague, Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, but reports say she has over 17 lawmakers out of the 29 senators, which makes up the majority bloc.

However, Findley’s supporters began expressing disappointment over the weekend that their candidate had lost his bid for the post — making it clear that Karnga-Lawrence had secured “the wherewithal and the political calisthenics” to assume the position. Thus, the election for the Senate Pro Tempore is expected to be a necessary formality, ushering Senator Karnga-Lawrence into her new role.

Sinoe County Senator Augustine S. Chea, a Findley supporter, said on social media, “We’ve lost the race for President Pro Tempore. Our candidate didn’t make it to the finish line.”

He said even the party’s loyal Senators who stayed the course until late Saturday afternoon when the Resolution of the Senate Retreat was signed by 17 Senators in support of the Karnga-Lawrence, surrendered when we realized we had been conquered or, that with or without us, the deal was done.”

According to him, adding insult to injury was the fact that “some of the independent Senators we depended on abandoned us, probably because of our choice of candidate and/or the failure to reach out to them early.”

Chea said Monday’s Senate President Pro Tempore election will be a mere formality. “Senator Karnga-Lawrence will become the next Senate Pro Tempore,” he said.

Karnga-Lawrence’s pending victory would come as no surprise. It was expected that she would have been a consensus against the backdrop of a notable display of political loyalty and sacrifice. This comes as a reward for her unwavering support of Joseph Nyuma Boakai during his presidential campaign. The Senator's endorsement of Boakai’s bid for the presidency was a bold move, especially as prominent figures such as Alexander Cummings, Benoni Urey, and Henry Costa became staunchly opposed to Boakai’s campaign.

However, Karnga-Lawrence not only promised her unwavering support but also vowed to make sure that her political ambitions were realized with Boakai as president. In return for her steadfastness, Boakai vowed to support her bid for Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate — a significant milestone that would make her the second woman to hold such a position.

Now, with Senator Karnga-Lawrence being named as a consensus candidate for the Senate Pro-Tempore position, it appears that Boakai has fulfilled his promise. This development not only reflects recognition of her political sacrifices, but is also a testament to her capabilities as a leader within the Senate.

Upon assuming this prestigious role, Karnga-Lawrence will be making history, becoming the second woman to occupy the position of Senate Pro-Tempore, after Grace Beatrice Minor, who served as the first female President Pro Tempore of the Senate from 2002 to 2003.

Minor was a Senator of Montserrado County and was a close ally of former President Charles G. Taylor. She is remembered for being vocal.

Karnga-Lawrence’s success in achieving this feat would not only be significant for her political career, but for women's representation in Liberian politics.

Meanwhile, the election of the Senate pro-tempore means the 55th Legislature has officially commenced as that august body will begin official duties.

The newly elected President Pro Tempore will also appoint fellow senators to head various committees, further shaping the Senate’s leadership. 

As the nation moves forward, it will be interesting to see how Senator Karnga-Lawrence’s leadership unfolds and the impact she will have in her new role, representing not only her constituents in Grand Bassa County but also the aspirations of women across Liberia.