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Cora Richardson-Hodge has made history by becoming the first-ever female Premier of Anguilla, following a decisive victory by the Anguilla United Front (AUF) in the island’s general elections held on Wednesday. Richardson-Hodge is set to be sworn in at 3:00 p.m. local time on Thursday.

The AUF secured a commanding win, capturing eight out of the 11 seats in the House of Assembly. The party claimed four of the seven district seats and swept all four islandwide at-large seats. This resounding victory marks a significant political shift on the island, with Richardson-Hodge emerging as a trailblazing leader.

Richardson-Hodge, the member of the Anguillan House of Assembly for Sandy Hill, has served as Leader of the Opposition since July 3, 2020, after winning her seat in the 2020 general election. She previously held the portfolio of Minister of Home Affairs, Labour, Immigration, Education, and Constitutional Reform in the AUF administration from 2015 to 2020.

A seasoned attorney, Richardson-Hodge is the Principal Attorney-at-Law at Iustitia Law Chambers, formerly C.R. Hodge & Associates, where she has practiced law since 2006. She holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in Law from Stetson University College of Law, along with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from the Florida Institute of Technology. Her legal affiliations include the American Bar Association, Florida Bar, Anguilla Bar Association, and the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners.

The AUF’s victory comes at the expense of the outgoing Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM), which saw most of its candidates lose ground. Outgoing Premier Dr. Ellis Webster retained his District 1 seat, but his administration suffered significant losses, including the defeat of high-profile ministers such as former Education Minister DeeAnn Kentish-Rogers, Quincia Gumbs Marie, and Kenneth Hodge.

Among the standout winners of the night was Kyle Hodge, who amassed over 4,000 islandwide votes — a third of the total electorate — positioning him as a key player in the incoming administration. Hodge had previously won with the APM in 2020 but left the government midway through the term in protest against its tax policies.

Richardson-Hodge’s historic ascent to the premiership signals a new era of leadership in Anguilla, with the AUF poised to implement its vision for the island’s development under her stewardship.