Candidate Announcement Speech Pastor Leroy Bean:

A Call to Service: Pastor Leroy Bean for Hamilton East

I first want to thank God, who made this opportunity possible, the Premier, my family, and the constituency of C5. Today is a moment of profound gratitude, humility, and purpose.

I stand before you as a servant of God and the people of Bermuda. I am humbled by the trust placed in me to represent the proud and resilient community of Hamilton East as your new Progressive Labour Party candidate.

Honoring a Legacy of Dedication

I must first pay homage to the Honourable Derrick Burgess, a man whose tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to this constituency and our beloved Bermuda has set a standard of excellence. His leadership has been a beacon, and I am determined to honor his legacy by carrying forward the torch of progress.

Hamilton East: More Than a Constituency—A Family

But this is not just a moment for me; it is a moment for us. Hamilton East is more than just a constituency—it is a family. And like any family, we have our strengths, our struggles, and our shared dreams.

For years, I have walked among you—not as a politician, but as a pastor, a community servant, and your brother.

I have:

🔹 Looked into the eyes of our young men caught in the deadly grip of gang violence.
🔹 Embraced mothers and fathers who grieve for the sons and daughters they have lost.
🔹 Stood on the front lines as Bermuda’s Gang Violence Reduction Coordinator—not just to fight against violence, but to fight for the healing of our people, our families, and our future.

Confronting Our Pain & Rising Together

We must confront the root of our pain—this transgenerational trauma that has left too many of us feeling broken, abandoned, and forgotten.

It is not enough to say, “Stop the violence.”

We must understand why it began. We must ask ourselves why so many of our young people feel there is no place for them in society.

And then, we must rise together to create a future where:

✔ Every child knows they are valued
✔ Every family feels supported
✔ Every community is safe

From Pain to Purpose: A Commitment to Action

My work has always been about transformation—turning pain into purpose, despair into determination.

🔹 Whether counseling a young man on the brink of destruction…
🔹 Or bringing together rivals to build peace…

I have seen what is possible when we choose hope over hatred and unity over division.

But let us be clear:

Healing alone is not enough.

We need ACTION.

🔹 Investment in education that inspires our children and prepares them for opportunities of tomorrow.
🔹 Affordable housing that gives every family the dignity of a place to call home.
🔹 Stronger mental health services, because healing our hearts is as important as healing our bodies.
🔹 Good, meaningful jobs that allow our people to build a future here, in the land we love.

Why the PLP? A Fairer Bermuda for All

And 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 the privileged few.

A Pledge to Hamilton East

Hamilton East, I do not come before you with empty promises or political platitudes.

I come as a man who has:

✔ Lived your struggles
✔ Shared your burdens
✔ Worked tirelessly for change

Together, we can be the example for Bermuda—a community that:

✔ Rises from adversity
✔ Chooses compassion over conflict
✔ Builds a future rooted in justice, opportunity, and love

The Time Is Now, Hamilton East Will Lead the Way

So today, I say to you:

🔹 Let us walk this journey together.
🔹 Let us honor the legacy of those who came before us.
🔹 Let us build a brighter tomorrow for those yet to come.
🔹 Let us commit to the work of transformation—not just for Hamilton East, but for all of Bermuda.

The time is now.
The place is here.
And the people of Hamilton East will lead the way.

Thank you, and may God bless you all as we walk steadily forward towards a fairer Bermuda for all of us.

Pastor Leroy Bean
Progressive Labour Party Candidate for Constituency 5 Hamilton East