An educator and performing artist is to stand as a Progressive Labour Party candidate in Warwick North East (Constituency 25), replacing a former senator in the battle.

Joanne Ball-Burgess will run instead of Arianna Hodgson, whom the PLP said last month would aim to hold the seat won by Ianthia Simmons-Wade in 2020.

Douglas De Couto will contest the constituency for the One Bermuda Alliance, as well as Justin Mathias as an independent.

Ms Ball-Burgess, a mother of three, has been serving as the lead for communication and engagement for the Education Reform Unit.

She addressed family, friends and colleagues at Alaska Hall this morning, with David Burt, the PLP leader, by her side.

Ms Ball-Burgess said: “It's with a great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand here as a candidate for Constituency 25.

“This opportunity represents my unwavering commitment to serve our community.

“I'm driven by a desire to make a tangible difference to the people of Bermuda, fostering growth, equity and opportunity for each and every person.”

She said she had a deep understanding of Bermuda’s values and culture.

“Having lived in four countries, I also bring a global outlook that has shaped my ability to approach challenges with creativity and innovation,” she added.

Speaking on the PLP’s switch in candidate, the Premier said: “After discussions with senator Arianna Hodgson and the Constituency 25 branch, a decision has been made to move forward with a new candidate for the upcoming election.

“While Senator Hodgson will not contest the seat on behalf of the PLP, we sincerely thank her for her contributions, her commitment to public service and her work for Bermuda and the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party and look forward to her contributions in the future.

“We are not going to discuss internal party matters but Senator Hodgson has a bright future of service and I look forward to her continued contributions.”

Mr Burt said Ms Ball-Burgess had dedicated her life to “empowering young people, preserving our culture and using creativity as a tool for education and transformation”.

Ms Ball-Burgess has a bachelor's degree in history and philosophy from Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma and a master's degree in education and organisational management from Endicott College, Massachusetts.

In 2008, Ms Ball-Burgess wrote the children’s book The Lizard and the Rock, and in 2009, she founded a microschool in Kenya that integrated Stem, life sciences and the performing arts.

She spoke of the “harrowing” experience in 2013 of being trapped in a shopping mall in Nairobi when terrorists stormed the building and killed 71 people.

Ms Ball-Burgess said that she and others were led to safety by an “unsung hero”, a cleaner.

She said the whole experience had shaped her view of what heroism means, making reference to “the community builders who work tirelessly to ensure that others can thrive”.

Ms Ball-Burgess added that her role within the ERU had strengthened her understanding of the unsung heroes of education such as the teachers, the department staff, the support staff, the ERU leads, counsellors and others who “navigate complex systems and advocate for the needs of students, parents and educators alike”.

She said: “While there have been some successes, it is clear that implementation must improve for the sake of the marginalised communities and future generations.

“I am committed to working with the PLP, bringing my voice and expertise, to ensure that we achieve transformative and lasting progress.

“We owe it to those unsung heroes who are making untold sacrifices, as well as future generations, to get it right.

“Whenever there is reform, there are challenges. There are a multitude of challenges and I feel if I were to speak on them all, we would be here all day so I don’t want to get into the specifics of that today.

“As we move along you will hear more from me on that.”

Other priorities, she said, included improving the lives of seniors, reducing the cost of living and addressing domestic violence and gang violence.

Ms Ball-Burgess, who was born and raised in Warwick, added: “Warwick North East is not just my constituency, it is my extended home.”

Ms Simmons-Wade took Warwick North East for the PLP in the 2020 General Election, with 419 votes to the 405 cast for Jon Brunson, the One Bermuda Alliance candidate.

In that election, Ms Hodgson — the granddaughter of former PLP minister the late Arthur Hodgson and niece of the late activist Eva Hodgson — was unsuccessful in the battle for Paget West, where she secured 282 votes and was defeated by the OBA’s Jarion Richardson, with 447.

The Royal Gazette has asked the PLP if Ms Hodgson is to run in another seat in the coming election and awaited a response at the time of publication.