A pastor who served as a violence mediator and a rehabilitator for decades has pledged to continue in his efforts as a Progressive Labour Party candidate for Hamilton East (Constituency 5).

Leroy Bean will make a bid for the seat previously held by Derrick Burgess, whose retirement from politics was announced this week.

Dr Bean told voters: “Hamilton East, I do not come to you with empty promises or political platitudes.

“I come to you as a man who has lived your struggles, shared your burdens and worked tirelessly for change.

“Together, we can be the example for Bermuda — a community that rises from adversity, that chooses compassion over conflict, and that builds a future rooted in justice, opportunity and love.”

Dr Bean was joined by David Burt, the Premier, alongside Mr Burgess.

Dr Bean has been at the helm of the Government’s Gang Violence Reduction Team since 2017.

He helped develop Bermuda’s National Violence Reduction Strategy, which passed in the House of Assembly last month and looks to address the underlying causes of violence while rehabilitating those involved in crime.

Dr Bean also founded the anti-gang organisation Cartel ‒ Challenging and Reclaiming the True Essence of Life.

He holds a PhD in psychology and counselling and has paired this with his background as a pastor to head Transfiguration Ministries and help people fight addiction and homelessness.

Dr Bean said that his work entailed “transformation,” on an individual and group level, and emphasised the need to solve crime instead of fixing its consequences.

He said: “We need investment in education that inspires our children and prepares them for the opportunities of tomorrow.

“We need affordable housing that gives every family the dignity of a place to call home.

“We need to strengthen our mental health services, because healing our hearts is as important as healing our bodies.

“And we need jobs — good, meaningful jobs that allow people to build a future here, in the land we love.”

He added: “It is for those reasons that I believe the PLP is the best choice to take us forward into a fairer Bermuda for all of us and not just a privileged few.”

Dr Bean has served as the PLP’s branch chairman for Constituency 5.

He ran as a PLP candidate in the 2012 election for St George’s South but lost to Suzann Roberts-Holshouser of the One Bermuda Alliance.

Mr Burgess won Hamilton East for the PLP in the 2017 General Election with 808 votes against OBA candidate Peter Barrett’s 192.

He held the seat during the 2020 General Election with 641 votes, compared with 114 votes for Desmond Crockwell of the Free Democratic Movement and 105 for the OBA’s Elizabeth Deacon.

Dr Bean said he had assisted Mr Burgess with canvassing for the past 20 years and helped make an impact in the area.

He recognised that Hamilton East would not be guaranteed for him, but said he had confidence in the relationships he had built there.

Dr Bean referred to the Hamilton East community as a “family” and added that the community shared “strengths,” “struggles” and “dreams”.

He said: “I believe that one of the problems that we do have is that many people who get involved in politics come from a superficial standpoint and deal with a lot of peripheral issues.

“I believe that I offer something to address the systemic issues and the residue that has come from these systemic issues, whether it be structural racism or abuse.”

Dr Bean said that the effectiveness of the GVRT was evident on a quantitative and qualitative level.

He added that many efforts he had put into place over 20 years of work had shown results and that present generations were different from their forebears.

Dr Bean recognised the unusually violent events that took place last year, including the death of four people in a Pembroke home.

He reminded the public that dissolving community violence was a collaborative effort between the Government and families.

Mr Burt said that Dr Bean was “ever-present” in the Hamilton East community and had the knowledge and understanding needed to tackle its challenges.

He added: “Pastor Bean believes, as the PLP does, that Bermuda’s strength lies in its people.

“His record of service and his deep connection to this community make him the ideal candidate to represent Constituency 5.”