With less than two weeks to go until the election, attention turns to the island’s electoral districts, where voters will choose their next Deputies.
Express is taking a closer look at who is running in which district. District 7, which covers St Saviour, has four seats up for grabs this year.
The current Deputies for St Saviour are Tom Binet, Louise Doublet, Malcolm Ferey, Raluca Kovacs, and Philip Ozouf.
Deputy Ferey, Deputy Doublet and Deputy Kovacs will seek re-election as Deputies, whilst Deputy Binet is running for Senator this year.
Deputy Ozouf is standing down from politics after being sentenced by the Royal Court for breaking immigration laws.
Here is who is in the running…
Deputy Malcolm Ferey
Deputy Malcolm Ferey is seeking re-election as a Deputy for St Saviour, having first been elected to the States Assembly in 2022 as a member of the Advance Jersey party.
A former chief executive of Citizens Advice Jersey, Deputy Ferey currently serves as Assistant Chief Minister, Assistant Children’s Minister, and Assistant Economic Development Minister.
He is also vice-chair of the States Employment Board, and a member of the Privileges and Procedures Committee.
Before entering politics, Deputy Ferey was heavily involved in voluntary and parish work, including serving as a Centenier for St Helier between 1997 and 2001.
Deputy Ferey said he intends to remain focused on parish politics and hopes to continue serving as a district Deputy.
While he said he enjoyed serving as an assistant minister, he confirmed that any future ministerial role would depend on the outcome of the election and the composition of the next government.
Deputy Raluca Kovacs
Deputy Raluca Kovacs is seeking re-election as a Deputy for St Saviour, having first been elected to the States Assembly in 2022 as a Reform Jersey candidate.
Her election made her the first Romanian national to serve in the States Assembly.
During the current term, Deputy Kovacs has served on the Public Accounts Committee and the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel.
She also received the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s New Parliamentarian of the Year Award in recognition of her work on youth engagement, equality, good governance and public service.
Deputy Kovacs said representing St Saviour has been a privilege, but acknowledged that many islanders continue to face pressure from the rising cost of living.
Her campaign has focused on what she describes as practical solutions, careful public spending, strong scrutiny, and support for vulnerable islanders.
During her time in office, Deputy Kovacs successfully brought forward propositions to provide additional paid parental leave for parents of premature and sick newborn babies, create financial support for islanders competing in off-island sporting events, and initiate a review of the social housing rent system aimed at reducing rental stress.
Deputy Kovacs has also represented Jersey internationally through organisations including the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, BIMR Women Parliamentarians, and the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie.
She has said she hopes parishioners will support her for a second term.
Deputy Louise Doublet
Deputy Louise Doublet is seeking re-election as a Deputy for St Saviour, having first been elected to the States Assembly in 2014 before securing re-election in both 2018 and 2022.
She served as Assistant Education Minister and Assistant Home Affairs Minister under former Chief Minister Kristina Moore.
Most recently, she chaired both the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel and the Assisted Dying Review Panel.
As a former teacher, Deputy Doublet said she remains committed to policies supporting children and families.
While holding ministerial responsibility for early years policy, she helped introduce measures aimed at addressing childcare concerns, including start-up and resource grants for childminders and nurseries, as well as expanded funded nursery hours for two- and three-year-olds.
She was also part of the ministerial team that introduced hot lunches in all primary schools.
As chair of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel, Deputy Doublet has focused on health inequalities affecting older islanders, women, and disabled people.
She highlighted successful amendments to the Budget, which included the development of a women’s health strategy, a preventative health roadmap, and the expansion of funded healthy school meals to a wider range of families.
Deputy Doublet has said islanders continue to face challenges, including the rising cost of living, mental health pressures, loneliness and increasing care needs.
Her campaign has focused on supporting families, tackling inequality and strengthening community support through the parish system.
Chris Leck
Chris Leck is seeking election as a Deputy for St Saviour in this year’s election.
As an accountant and former senior civil servant, Mr Leck previously served as a Projects Director within the Treasury Department, an audit partner at Deloitte, and a treasurer trustee for the Jersey Employment Trust.
Mr Leck said he decided to stand for election because he believes Jersey has become increasingly expensive and less attractive for many islanders in recent years.
His campaign has focused on what he describes as the need for strong, efficient and competent government, prudent public spending, and balanced finances.
Among his key policy priorities are reviewing taxes, social security and fuel duties to support islanders while encouraging economic growth by reducing regulation and attracting tech businesses to the island.
Mr Leck has also called for expanded support for first-time buyers – including mortgage relief, and the development of derelict greenhouse sites for affordable housing.
Healthcare and immigration are also among his campaign priorities, with Mr Leck advocating improvements to patient pathways, preventative healthcare services, and access to specialist care.
He also called for broader immigration policies to allow more workers with non-specialist skills to live in Jersey.
At a parish level, Mr Leck said he wants to address road safety and speeding concerns in St Saviour, and explore the creation of additional community spaces alongside the proposed Parish Hall community park.
He also said he hopes to work collaboratively within both the States Assembly and the parish community if elected.
Robert Parker
Robert Parker is seeking election as a Deputy for St Saviour in this year’s election.
A longstanding figure in Jersey’s hospitality industry, Mr Parker has spent the past 40 years running the Hotel de France.
Before returning to Jersey, he studied accountancy and worked for Coopers & Lybrand, Gulf + Western, and Paramount Pictures International, where he audited major productions including Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Winds of War in Italy.
Mr Parker became managing director of the Hotel de France at the age of 28.
Under his leadership, the hotel developed into one of the Channel Islands’ leading conference venues and later diversified its operations following the decline in conference demand during the early-2000s financial downturn.
This included the redevelopment of the Lido site into the current Medical Centre and the launch of Healthhaus.
Mr Parker has also held a number of public and industry roles, including senior vice-president and treasurer of the Jersey Hotel and Guest House Association, first chair of the Jersey Conference Bureau, and positions on the Tourism Board, Airport Advisory Board and Public Accounts Committee.
Mr Parker said he decided to stand for election because he believes too many islanders are being left behind amid economic pressures and rising living costs.
His campaign is focused on growing what he describes as a more balanced economy, lowering personal taxes and improving value for money in government spending.
He also said that Jersey needs a clearer economic strategy centred on practical action rather than lengthy consultancy processes.
Having publicly endorsed political movement Value Jersey, Mr Parker said that government policy should better reflect the realities facing businesses and families, and has expressed concern about pressures facing the hospitality sector and small businesses.