Bank Executive Curtis Dickinson to Represent PLP in C25 Warwick North East By-Election

Mr Dickinson, an executive vice-president at Butterfield Bank and chairman of the Bermuda Hospital’s Board and the Board of Education, will challenge the seat vacated by One Bermuda Alliance MP Jeff Baron.

At a news conference at Alaska Hall on Friday, the new candidate said it was an “honour” to be selected to represent the PLP.

The 52-year-old father of three told the media that he looks forward to sharing his story and experiences and “hearing the concerns and aspirations of the voters of Constituency 25”, as he works “to earn their votes”.

Since his return to Bermuda in 2006, he said he had “looked for ways to give back to the community that has given so much to me:.

“I am now at a point where I am prepared to step forward to work as part of this Government to deliver sensible, fiscally sound and effective public policy,” said Mr Dickerson.

He also said he looks forward to joining the “imminently capable” PLP team to deliver on the Government’s mandate.

In the weeks ahead he hopes to build on the “significant inroads” in C25 by Kathy Lynn Simmons, Attorney General, the PLP candidate in Warwick North East in the last General Election.

Premier David Burt described Mr Dickerson as a candidate of the “highest quality”, who was “committed to his community”.

“Curtis was among the PLP members responsible for forming the economic policies that were articulated in our Budget replies, our election Platform, and that have served us well during our first nine months in Government,” said Mr Burt. ”

On his canvassing plans, Mr Dickinson said: “I’m going to tell the story of kid of who grew up not far from here, who was encouraged to go to school and to work hard.”

Mr Dickerson is also a former vice-chair of the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation and former treasurer for the Centre for Philanthropy.

He has worked at Butterfield Bank for the last 11 years and serves as executive vice-president and group head of private banking, after working abroad in New York.

He told the media that he plans to share his experience with moving overseas, of the support he received while pursuing his education, whose mother had him when she was only 17.

Professionally, he said he has worked in international finance “at the highest levels”.

“It think that is a very good narrative, and I think it speaks to my willingness to work hard to get things done.”

One Bermuda Alliance MP Jeff Baron announced his resignation last week. Two days later Dr Grant Gibbons announced that he was ending his political career spanning 25 years.

Warwick North East has been an OBA seat since constituency boundaries were changed in 2012, when Mark Pettingill defeated Dale Butler by 527 votes to 386, a lead of 141 votes. Mr Baron defeated Ms Simmons by 493 votes to 428, a lead of 65 in 2017.

A by-election to replace Dr Gibbons will also take place on June 7. Nomination Day for both constituencies will be on May 24.

The polling stations will be Bermuda College Student Centre for Paget East, and Bright Temple AME Church Hall for Warwick North East. 

Registration for voters will close next Friday at 5pm.

Voters can register online at www.elections.gov.bm or at the Parliamentary Registration office in Craig Appin House, 3rd floor, 8 Wesley Street, Hamilton.