Monrovia, Liberia – Grand Cape Mount County Senator Varney Sherman has officially announced his retirement from the realm of politics, a decision that follows the outcome of the recent October 10 senatorial elections. Senator Sherman’s retirement comes against the backdrop of complications in the vote tallying process conducted by the National Elections Commission (NEC). These complications placed Unity Party Senatorial Candidate Darbah Varpilah in a favorable winning position in Cape Mount County.
The Senator delivered his retirement speech during the opening of the Senate’s 54th session at the Capitol Building, expressing profound disappointment in the state of Liberian politics. He lamented the prevalent “politics of identity” among the electorate and noted that voters often fail to consider critical factors such as policy, capacity, and ability when choosing their representatives. Senator Sherman’s political journey began prominently in 1997 after the First Liberian Civil War, and he became a notable figure on the Liberian political landscape. Over the years, he played a significant role, including running as the standard bearer of the Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia (COTOL) in the 2005 presidential elections and serving as the national chairman of the Unity Party following the merger of his Liberian Action Party in 2009.
During the 2014 mid-term Senatorial Elections, Sherman emerged victorious as the Senator for Grand Cape Mount County, winning with 61.7% of the votes. Despite the electoral complaint filed by rival candidates, which delayed his admission to the Senate, Sherman ultimately served as a senator. In light of the recent election results that did not favor him, Senator Sherman has decided that it is in his best interest to step away from politics and refocus on his personal life. His retirement marks the conclusion of an influential chapter in Liberian politics.
By: Alphanso G. Kalama
