After soundly defeating One Bermuda Alliance candidate Jon Brunson, an ebullient Zane DeSilva emerged from the Southampton East polling station at Warwick Camp tonightto discover that the leader of his party, Paula Cox, had just lost her seat in Devonshire North West.The former Member of Parliament for Southampton East Central and former Minister of Health, who garnered 554 votes to Mr. Brunson’s 234, was visibly shaken when told of Ms Cox’s defeat.“Paula was a great leader. She did her job and did it well. This is shocking news.”Mr. DeSilva dismissed suggestions that he might be in line for the position of premier as “always a rumour”.Mr. Brunson called Ms. Cox’s ouster “great news for the OBA and a devastating blow for the PLP. This really speaks to the fact that the people of Bermuda are looking for change.”The former United Bermuda Party MP expressed disappointment at receiving just 29 percent of the vote and regretted that he hadn’t had more time to canvass in Constituency 29.“I was fighting a bit of an uphill battle to see everyone before Election Day,” said Mr. Brunson. “I didn’t declare my candidacy until 33 days ago but I had to think this through as it’s a big commitment, one that’s not to be taken lightly.“But learning about Paula Cox’s defeat makes my loss more palatable and makes me want to fighter even harder for the OBA.”Mr. DeSilva, who ran for the first time in Southampton East after boundary lines were redrawn, credited his win to the hard work of his team.“I am thankful to my supporters and pledge that I’ll continue to work on their behalf,” said the 53 year-old president of Island Construction. “Everyone knows I’ve been nicknamed the Energizer Bunny and if I remain a government minister, I will always be accessible and meet with anyone, any time to get the job done.”There were seven rejected ballots, two spoiled ballots, with 795 votes cast.ResultsZane DeSilva 554Jon Brunson 234