Treasury Minister Chris Thomas has confirmed he will seek re‑election as a Douglas Central MHK in the 2026 General Election.
Mr Thomas first signalled his intention to run during an appearance on the Manx.News Welcome to Friday podcast in November.
He told Charlie Morrey, Juan Turner and Sam Turton that he considered himself “a sensible, 62‑year‑old person” who “cares passionately about the country”.
During that interview, he said: “I will be standing in 2026… I am a prospective candidate. I will be working to persuade other people who get elected, because I hope to get elected, of my view on certain policies.”
He also criticised the 2021 General Election, describing it as “an absolute disaster”, and said the subsequent formation of government had been “even worse”.
Prospective Candidate
Speaking to Manx.News this week, Mr Thomas reiterated that he has been formally registered as a prospective candidate since last September, a status defined in the Elections Act relating to expenditure and conduct before the election period begins.
“I intend to be an actual candidate when the election period properly begins this August,” he said. “Now my focus is on public finances and other aspects of the Treasury Minister role, but I will be launching a draft manifesto as soon as I can.”
Under Manx election law, a prospective candidate is someone who has declared their intention to stand and is subject to spending rules, while a candidate becomes official only once their nomination paper is accepted by the Returning Officer after the election writ is issued.
Mr Thomas is one of several sitting MHKs who have already publicly confirmed they intend to stand again, signalling an early start to what is expected to be a closely watched 2026 campaign.
Ann Corlett is also understood to be standing again and Peter Shimming has announced his candidacy for the constituency.
