Steven Faries, a former One Bermuda Alliance member said he wants to offer constituents an alternative to party politicians
Independent candidate for C34, Sandy’s North Central, Steven Faries Photo: Bermuda Broadcasting
Entrepreneur and Somerset resident Steven Faries will run in constituency 34, Sandy’s South Central, as an independent candidate.
He joins the growing list of independents running, totaling 15 to date, in the February 18 General Election this year.
Mr. Faries announced his candidacy this afternoon at his business, The Flower Bar, on Reid Street in Hamilton.
He told media, he is ‘not a politician’ but rather wants to provide constituents with another option.
In particular, for those who may be dissatisfied with party politics.
He stated, “I can say that a lot of people that I’ve actually spoken to in my demographic which is between the ages of 35 and 45, they don’t really want to vote.
“They don’t have a desire to vote and I felt that it was my obligation to actually be that option for them or be voice for them if they really didn’t want to vote for either of the parties.”
Mr. Faries said he has not yet begun canvassing the constituency but said he is familiar with the area and the issues affecting residents. Most of them concern the level of care and support for senior citizens residing in the west end of the island and the state of the current education system.
As a business owner for 25 years, he said that he feels many aspiring entrepreneurs need mentorship and financial backing to help them get their ideas off the ground.
Mr. Faries said, “I’ve mentored many, specifically, young men who want to come around and open a business and they feel like they can’t. And I want to say that you can.
“I started my business from my garage and I’m here today with the business that I have, so just really empowering that message,” he added.
Asked about his previous membership with the opposition One Bermuda Alliance party in recent years, he said at that time, he left the party to concentrate on developing his business and it wasn’t a fit, causing him to take a step back.
He said, “It [politics] still became a passion of mine. I had heard about the independent movement and I wanted to be part of that movement . I felt it was something new that could be done and I think its going to be part of history. And I want to be apart of that.”
Mr. Faries will be in the running against incumbent Kim Wilson for the PLP and Chris Gauntlett for the OBA in C34 Sandy’s South Central.
For the full news conference, click the video below.
