Josephine Olivia Connolly MHA is a businesswoman"THE ELECTION RACE IS ON!". Turks and Caicos Sun. and an elected member of the Turks and Caicos Islands House of Assembly."Nearly 450 catch mosquito viruses this year". TC Weekly News. 1 December 2014 In February 2025 she won her all island seat for the fourth time.
Early life Connolly was born in Turks & Caicos on the island of Salt Cay in 1959. She is the daughter of Alexander "Shorty" Smith, the elected representative of Salt Cay and one of the founders of the PNO which later became the PNP.
Career In 1998, Connolly was a partner in the real estate consulting firm Connolly-Zahm Properties."A Turks and Caicos Real Estate Pioneer", Island Life and Times. May 8, 2014
In 2010, Connolly was awarded a master's degree from the University of Central Lancashire. In 2010, Connolly was the reigning "Mrs. Turks and Caicos","The first Mrs Bahamas World crowned in Grand Bahama", The Bahamas Weekly News, 17 August 2010 representing her country in the Mrs. World Pageant."Mrs Turks & Caicos arrives in Grand Bahama for the Mrs Bahamas coronation". The Bahamas Weekly News 12 August 2010
In July 2012, Connolly became an at-large candidate in the upcoming general election. On 9 November, she was voted in as one of the five at-large members of the parliament."PDM announces appointment of shadow Ministers" TC Weekly News At the first sitting of the house on 28 November, Connolly was unanimously voted in as Deputy Speaker."Bahamas prefers payroll tax to VAT – PM Christie" TC Weekly News
In 2013, the Attorney General began an investigation, alleging that Connolly had failed to declare contracts with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government on her declaration of candidacy."SIX HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY SEATS TO BE CHALLENGED IN COURT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL". Turks an Caaicos Sun by Hayden Boyce"Turks and Caicos elections mess continues". Caymans Compass by: Brent Fuller 12 March 2013
The investigation against Connolly and her political colleagues was subsequently dropped. In the December 2016 election, Connolly retained her seat as an all island member and became part of the new PDM government as Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services.
In January 2019 Connolly crossed the floor of the House of the Assembly and joined the PNP.
In the February 2021 general election she was voted in as an all Island candidate with PNP, who won a resounding 14–1 victory. Connolly was subsequently appointed as Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries, Heritage & the Environment in the new government.
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