Political life inevitably moves on and following the death of Eugene Cox, successors in his Sandys North constituency will surface in the days following Saturday?s funeral.

Two names seemed to have floated to the surface already in terms of the forthcoming by-election in constituency 36, with Ellen Kate Horton, sister of Cabinet Minister Randy Horton, and Senate Leader Michael Scott looking to be favourites to stand.

Given the sensitivity of the situation, neither were prepared to comment, although speculation is rife that they are favourites for the position.

Another name being bandied around political circles is Scott Simmons, the PLP spokesman who lost out to Trevor Moniz in last July?s election.

Sen. Scott seems to be the favourite at this stage, already holding a Cabinet position as Minister of Legislative Affairs.

Given the PLP?s track record of rewarding loyalty, Mr. Scott, currently the Acting Attorney General in the absence of Paula Cox, would seem to have served his time and appears to have earned the right to be given a relatively safe seat to stand in.

If, as speculation would indicate, Ms Cox were to take over the Finance Ministry, Mr. Scott would also be the ideal man to fill the Attorney General?s shoes.

The UBP are also unwilling to given any official details on who they would put up in a by-election, but understands that Gerald Fubler, who lost by nearly 200 votes to Mr. Cox in the last election, will not be standing again for health reasons.

It is believed that a newcomer to the party is likely to be fielded, although sources in the party were unable to offer any names at this stage.

In the July, 2002 election, Sandys North was the first result to be declared, taking just two hours and 35 minutes of counting at Somerset Primary School for Mr. Cox to poll 451 votes to Mr. Fubler?s 252.

The leading contenders from the PLP:MICHAEL SCOTT: Lawyer Michael Scott has admitted in the past that his new role as Legislative Affairs Minister could be grooming him for the role of Attorney General and were he to be selected and win, that would most likely happen.

The 53-year-old became a Senator in 1998 and has named the Alternatives to Incarceration scheme as a particular interest of his and said he would like to see that flourish and continue and said he wanted to see youngsters turn away from drugs.

He appears to be the front-runner at the moment after missing out on his chance of a safe seat in the last election, losing out to Jon Brunson in Southampton West Central.ELLEN KATE HORTON: Ellen Kate Horton, the sister of Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton and Permanent Secretary Robert Horton, was believed to have been close to getting a nod to run during last summer?s election.

Although she narrowly missed out then, her role in the community stands her in good stead already with the constituents.

An educator by profession, Ms Horton recently took up a post as an officer in the Department of Education following a career as a teacher at CedarBridge Academy.SCOTT SIMMONS: A former Police officer who has also worked in the hotel industry and with Bank of Bermuda, Mr. Simmons is currently the media relations guru for the PLP.

Although it is understood he has yet to make a decision on whether to put himself forward to run, he is thought to be among those fancied by the party to be given a chance in this constituency.

He was raised in both Pembroke and Sandys parishes and stood in the last election against Trevor Moniz in Smith?s West.