Dame Jennifer Smith believes Government are winning the fight against the economic crisis that has triggered high levels of unemployment on the Island.Running for re-election in Constituency 1, the former premier said she thought Bermuda was ‘making progress in terms of economic recovery’ and defended Government spending.Closer to home, Dame Jennifer called herself ‘an unapologetic St Georgian’ and said she was delighted to have accepted her party’s candidacy for the St George’s constituency she has represented since 1989.“It has been a tough battle, but we are winning the fight. We are making progress in terms of economic recovery and our spending has been invested in making this country better,” Dame Jennifer said.“We spent, not because we like roads or buildings, we spent to provide jobs, assure health and achieve success and stability for the people of this country.”While also highlighting the PLP’s ‘aggresive’ approach to fighting crime, Dame Jennifer said she believed the underlying ‘long-simmering conditions’ that ‘helped to create a culture of criminality’ were too important to be ‘made the fodder of partisan politics’.“Yes, there have been challenges but there have also been successes,” she said. “We continue to relentlessly and aggressively tackle crime while addressing the long simmering conditions that helped to create a culture of criminality among some of our citizens.“Our work in this arena, like our work in education, is too important to be made the fodder of partisan politics as we look to the future and the next election.”First elected to the House of Assembly in 1989, Dame Jennifer became the leader of the PLP in 1996 following the death of Fredrick Wade. Two years later, she led the PLP to power, defeating the UBP in the 1998 General Election to become the first female elected as Premier.She was re-elected in 2003, defeating the UBP’s Kenneth Bascome by 423 votes to 415, but ousted as Premier immediately following the election. She retained her seat at the last election, defeating Mr Bascome once again.Focusing on her work for the people of St George’s, Dame Jennifer pointed to her work in the community and her position as the Minister of Education as proof of those efforts.“Since my re-election in 2007 I have continued to work in the best interests of St George’s in particular and children in general,” she said.“We have focused on teaching and learning in order to spread equity across the system by raising standards and offering help on site, at the schools.“In addition, thanks to the Ministry of Works, our roads have been paved, lights installed on Barry Road and [yesterday] Coot Pond Road returned to two-way status.”Introducing Dame Jennifer as the PLP candidate, Premier Paula Cox described her predecessor as a catalyst for change, a role model, an artist, and a woman who had worked tirelessly on behalf of the country.“She represents a gold standard for women who can get involved in politics and public administration,” the Premier said. “She has encouraged all those who have come in contact with her.“She is prepared to do what is necessary and really puts country and party before self.”