JLP councillor Kim Brown Lawrence to leave representational politics, denies resignation

Embattled Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor for the Brown's Town Division, Kim Brown Lawrence, has announced that she will not seek re-election at the next local government polls, signalling her intention to walk away from representational politics when her current term ends.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Brown Lawrence sought to clarify speculation about her political future, insisting that she had neither resigned nor intended to cross the political floor to join the Opposition People's National Party.

"NO I HAVE NOT RESIGNED AND NO I AM NOT INTERESTED TO RUN FOR THE NEXT LOCAL ELECTION," she declared, adding that while resigning had crossed her mind, she had decided to remain in office until the end of her term.

“Those who know me well know I will finish up the term doing what I do best and that's WORKING!”

Brown Lawrence said she formally communicated her decision to the JLP hierarchy in a letter handed over on October 22, 2026, giving the party about a year to identify a suitable candidate to replace her.

“NO I DID NOT RESIGN!!!! YESSSS it came to mind (But after serious consideration with Court maybe up to a year remaining from now and I know I need the monthly allowance to keep my head above the water, I will remain until my term ends,” the councillor said.

“I am still the Councillor for the Browns Town Division and will remain so until the next Local Election is due. If you are interested in the seat apply at once!”

She also urged anyone interested in contesting the Brown's Town Division to begin working in the constituency immediately, warning that the seat was "no push-over".

Despite her decision not to seek another term, Brown Lawrence said she remained committed to fulfilling her responsibilities as councillor.

"I will not drop arms I will do my work diligently," she said, adding that she would continue serving until the next local government election.

“When the time gets closer to my departure I will say farewell. Until then my work continues. One love one heart. GOD AND TIME,” Brown Lawrence wrote.

Brown Lawrence is among several high-profile defendants currently on trial in connection with allegations of a multimillion-dollar fraud involving the Ministry of Education and the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU).

She is being tried alongside former Education Minister Ruel Reid, his wife, Sharen Reid, their daughter Sharelle Reid, and former CMU president Professor Fritz Pinnock.

The defendants face multiple fraud-related charges arising from allegations that more than $25 million in public funds was siphoned through fictitious employment arrangements, sham contracts and bogus invoices between 2016 and 2019.

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