Businessman Joe Johnson and Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Senator Darren Pickstock are said to be vying for the PLP nomination for Golden Isles, The Nassau Guardian understands.

Both men applied to the party for the nominations before Miller's sudden death on September 28.

Prior to his death, Miller indicated to the prime minister that he had no desire to seek reelection.

Pickstock, a lawyer, is a partner at Glinton, Sweeting and O'Brien. He was appointed to the Senate in 2021.

Johnson is a businessman who has worked as a security manager at Baha Mar, director of security at Rosewood and is also the owner of Avery's Restaurant.

Johnson is reportedly said to be the favorite as he lives in Golden Isles and is seen as more of a "community man".

On Thursday, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said, "We are mourning at this time... The law requires me to call it within 60 days. I'm giving consideration to that."

Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard said last week that Davis should call an election instead of a bye-election.

"Given the financial challenges that the Bahamian people are facing, it would be interesting to see whether or not this government is prepared to, again, as they did in West Grand Bahama, spend over, we believe $10 million on one seat, while there are many roofs that are still leaking in west Grand Bahama," Pintard said, referring to the 2023 West Grand Bahama and Bimini bye-election.

"Many houses are compromised in different ways. The administration said it's not fully open. The school is not fully open. Bahamians have real-life bread-and-butter issues that the government needs to dedicate resources to.

"A general election will give one party or another a new mandate, and so he ought to go to a general election."

The FNM has ratified Brian Brown as its candidate for Golden Isles.

Miller is the second Cabinet minister to die this term.

In 2023, then-Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting Obie Wilchcombe died.