Rodney Smith was named as the OBA’s General Election candidate for Southampton West.He will challenge the ruling party’s Randy Horton, for Constituency 32.Mr Horton comfortably took the seat at the last election, earning 629 votes to 366 won by the United Bermuda Party’s Charlie Swan.Mr Smith was yesterday adamant that he was the person to bring home the goods.“I stand here today, under the banner of the OBA, because I believe that it is the only political party in Bermuda able and willing to seriously address these issues,” he said.“I believe that Bermuda needs the OBA just now, we certainly can’t go on the way we have been going … change has to come if we are going to stop our economic fall and recapture what we’ve lost.“I think most people sense that the road we’re travelling down is not the right one for Bermuda, and that if we continue down it there will be more bad blows for our people and the Island itself — which was once considered a world leader in quality of life.“We must have change. We must get off this road.”Mr Smith, a former PLP Pembroke West by-election candidate, was bound over the keep the peace following charges he assaulted a tenant in 1999.The now retired owner of RAS Construction said he employed ex-convicts as part of his aim to motivate and encourage young people to set goals and work to achieve them.A former Government consultant, Mr Smith was previously tasked with researching and writing a paper highlighting the difficulties faced by fathers fighting to gain visitation rights to their children.A regular contributor to talk shows in Bermuda, he has dedicated himself to community work and addressing Bermuda’s social concerns.“I’m putting myself forward as a political candidate because I can’t stand by and do nothing, I want to play a part in the rescue of Bermuda,” he stated.“Finally, to all those who live in Constituency 32, I would say that am happy to represent you on behalf of the OBA. When it is all said and done, let it be known that the fortunes of Bermuda turned with our victory.”The 52-year-old father of five attended Heron Bay Primary and Sandys Secondary School before getting his bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies at Oakwood University in Alabama.Further schooling at Howard University in Washington saw him earn a master's degree in social work.He was also previously crowned The Real Fish Cake King of Bermuda, beating out PLP MP Dale Butler for the title.At yesterday’s rollout he thanked OBA Leader Craig Cannonier and the selection committee for choosing him as a candidate.