A Royal Bermuda Regiment officer with a “passion for empowering others” has thrown his hat in the ring as a contender in the October 4 by-election in Sandys North, promising to bring transparency and hope to West End voters.

Lieutenant Cire Bean was unveiled as an independent candidate for the Constituency 36 seat.

The announcement came at the Hamilton office of Sir John Swan, a former premier who garnered 184 votes as an independent candidate in the Smith’s North by-election in May.

Sir John said more independent candidates would be introduced after the challenge in Sandys North, adding that he planned to run again once a General Election is called.

“We have got some very interesting people who have some experience and some with no experience, young and old,” he said.

“I think we are heading in the right direction for the change Bermuda needs.”

He said that if voters wanted change in the island’s political landscape, “you have to step outside your comfort level or your box, and make that change possible”.

Sir John said he had known Lieutenant Bean since the candidate was 17, adding that he “epitomises what we are trying to do with independent members”.

Sandys North voters will head to the polls following the resignation this month of Kathy-Lynn Simmons, who was a Progressive Labour Party MP, after she stepped down as the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform.

A campaign leaflet at Lieutenant Bean’s announcement of his candidacy described him as “a dedicated leader and passionate advocate for youth development and community service”.

It added that he was born and raised in Somerset and had deep roots in the community.

The leaflet added: “A product of West End Primary School, Sandys Secondary Middle School and The Berkeley Institute, Cire Bean showed an early commitment to making a difference by founding Payakid while still in high school.

“This innovative social enterprise provides job opportunities for students aged 13 to 17, steering them away from antisocial behaviour and crime by partnering with local businesses and community members.

“For this impactful work, Cire Bean was honoured with the Agent of Change award.”

After he enlisted at the age of 18, the soldier was commissioned as an officer at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

The leaflet said: “Beyond the military, Cire Bean is deeply involved in efforts to support young people and individuals with support needs, working closely with organisations dedicated to these causes.

“Lieutenant Cire Bean’s passion for empowering others and commitment to public service continue to drive his efforts to make Bermuda a better place for all.”

The 26-year-old emphasised his profile in Somerset from his childhood job packing groceries at an area supermarket to founding Payakid to help other young people secure work.

“I’ve been canvassing my whole life, been out there in the community my whole life,” he said.

“I do feel that once people see this press conference, they will see me and say, ‘Yes, I remember him’.”

Lieutenant Bean said politics had “always been in the back of my mind” but that he was inspired to meet Sir John.

“I asked him if there was any possible way that he can help mentor me.”

Lieutenant Bean said his “transparency“ would appeal to voters and added: ”You can talk to me.

“A lot of politicians — I’m not bashing anybody, but I’ve been there; I am not a political speaker, I just keep it real.“

Asked about the constituency’s reputation as a PLP stronghold, Lieutenant Bean said residents there wanted “real substance”.

He added: “If you pay attention and put the thermometer out in Somerset, you’re going to realise that the temperature is rising.

“I think we have reached the stage where people are waking up.”

He said he would not offer voters “sweet nothings”.

“Growing up in Somerset and seeing the state it’s in right now, if they want to have change, I am an advocate for change in a positive way.”

With his father and brothers looking on alongside Sir John, he said: “You see me here as an independent, running as an independent. But, as you see, I am not here alone; I have a team and a support system for guidance.”

Lieutenant Bean also described himself as an example to other would-be independent candidates.

He said: “People need that push. People need to see that it can be done. That’s my goal — to prove to them that it’s possible.”

He made frequent reference to his time in the regiment as being a formative experience in becoming “mission-focused and goal-driven”, and said he hoped to help with “re-engineering young individuals”.

The announcement raised the possibility of a four-way challenge next month for Sandys North.

Carl Neblett was earlier unveiled as the One Bermuda Alliance’s contender.

The PLP has yet to declare its candidate, while the Free Democratic Movement has not stated if it will field someone.

When Sir John ran in Smith’s North, he was placed just ahead of Lindsay Simmons, of the PLP, who secured 181 votes, and was second to the OBA’s Robert King, with 209 votes.

In the aftermath, Sir John called the close margin “an extraordinary result” for an independent, and announced in June that he was creating a forum to bring together potential independent candidates for political office.

Today he described himself as a facilitator rather than a leader in the movement.

Sir John added: “I am not in this to become premier again.

“I am here to help facilitate the change that Bermuda needs. I have not come with any presumption that I am the guy.

“It might be Cire, it might be someone else who will come along.”

Sir John said there was “a coalition, a group of people who have come together to achieve objectives” with “no party apparatus working”.

He said the support voters showed for his candidacy in the Smith’s North by-election inspired people and showed others that “if you can do it in one month, we can do it in whatever time it takes”.

Sir John said he wanted to see “a new Bermuda emerge”, with candidates showing “integrity, ethics and intolerance for anything not in the best interests of the people of Bermuda”.

“We will evolve a system, a bottom-up system as opposed to top-down.”

He added: “The goal is to have more people in the community involved in the decision-making process.”