Lawyer Georgia Marshall has been unveiled as the One Bermuda Alliance’s candidate in the by-election for Sandys South.

A leading specialist in matrimonial and family law and a director at law firm Marshall Diel and Myers, the long-term resident of the area and mother of two is a “newcomer” to politics.

“For the past 28 years I have lived and raised my family in Sandys,” she said. “This is my home and has been the home of my extended family for four generations.

“I don’t come from a background of privilege or wealth, I come from humble beginnings. My parents didn’t have the benefit of education.

“They were factory workers and for all of my childhood they had second jobs — they knew the value of hard work and the value of education and gave me the benefit of education.

“Some of you know me as a matrimonial attorney, I’ve practised for 25 years. Throughout that time I’ve heard the struggles of families, more so in the recent past than any time before that, and I’ve worked hard to solve the problems of families.

“I hope to put the skills I’ve learnt to use to help move Bermuda forward.”

The OBA announced Mrs Marshall would stand for them this morning at Somerset Bridge, with party chairwoman Lynne Woolridge, Premier Michael Dunkley, Senator Jeff Baron and MP Glen Smith on hand to welcome her to the party fold. Her husband, Timothy, also a lawyer, was also present.

Mrs Marshall admitted she was a “newcomer” to politics, with no previous affiliation to any party, but said she wanted to step up to try to help “improve the lives of all Bermudians”.

She also told how she was “delighted to be the newest member of the OBA, the only party of diversity and inclusion”.

“I’m asking the people of Sandys South to exercise your vote wisely to usher in change to Sandys South and a breath of fresh air,” Mrs Marshall said.

“I’ve never been politically motivated but I see the challenges and feel more people like me who have skills need to be influencing policy and voicing the concerns of constituents.”

Mrs Marshall said she was not concerned about her political debut being in Sandys South, traditionally a Progressive Labour Party stronghold.

The seat was held by retiring Independent MP Terry Lister, who won it as a PLP candidate in 1998.

“I don’t think there’s any safe constituency,” Mrs Marshall said. “Everybody in Bermuda has power when they exercise their vote wisely. I’ve confidence that the people of Sandys South will be very careful in their decision-making, as well as all Bermudians.

“When I do succeed at the polls my primary focus will be Sandys South. We have a lot of work to do.” Mrs Marshall said repair work to Somerset Bridge and the public wharf were among her priorities. She also wants to help to improve the public school system.

She said she had already been meeting with constituents and the same concerns were repeated “over and over again” — such as the public dock at Ely’s Harbour and garbage piling up — and that she intended to work with the community to get things done, and encourage them to get involved.

“I’ll call on them to come out to help us clean that mess,” she said. “I hope to be a galvanising force.

“I will work hard for your vote and will continue to work hard for those I will represent to keep the vote. I intend to work hard for constituency 33.”

Premier Dunkley made a “special plea to the people of Sandys South”.

“You’ve had a very qualified lady step forward to get into the political realm,” he said. “If you want to continue to get on to the road to recovery, we need to have more people stand forward and serve.

“Georgia Marshall lives in this area. We want people who are connected and clearly Georgia is.

“Based on her career and certainly with the success she’s had, that can equate into success at the poll and success for the people of Sandys South.”

The Progressive Labour Party is due to unveil its candidate tomorrow morning at Somers Isles Lodge.

The by-election will be held on November 18.