Jamahl Simmons will return to the House of Assembly after winning a by-election in Sandys South.

The Progressive Labour Party’s candidate for Constituency 33 beat Georgia Marshall, representing the One Bermuda Alliance, by 462 votes to 326, winning around 58 per cent of the vote.

Of the 1,327 voters registered in the constituency, 794 voted, resulting in a turnout of around 59 per cent. A total of six ballots were spoiled.

Mr Simmons was warmly greeted by a host of supporters, who had waited outside the polling station at Somers Isles Lodge for two hours as the votes were counted.

“The victory is not mine, it is Constituency 33’s,” Mr Simmons said. “Today we hit the ground running and start working because the people deserve a working representative and they deserve a voice that will fight for our people.”

Meanwhile Mrs Marshall conceded defeat, thanking the voters for their support in what she said had been a humbling experience.

“Let me thank the voters of Sandys South for their welcoming reception on the doorstep,” she said in a prepared statement.

“It has been one of the most humbling and enriching experiences of my life. It has been an honour and a privilege to run as the OBA candidate in Sandys South.

“Despite losing, I will continue to address local and national issues so that we can continue making a positive difference in the lives of all Bermudians — supporting job growth and working to ensure safe communities.”

Mr Simmons’s victory further narrows the OBA’s majority in the House of Assembly. While the Government currently controls 19 seats, there will now be 16 sitting PLP MPs.

Both Mr Simmons and Mrs Marshall were out in force with their supporters, including a host of MPs from both parties, but by the time the votes had been counted the PLP supporters far outnumbered those supporting the OBA.

Sandys South has a long-standing reputation as a PLP stronghold, with Terry Lister solidly winning elections in 2003 and 2007. In the 2012 election, Mr Lister again retained the seat for the PLP, defeating the OBA’s Tonetta Spring by 516 votes to 397.

However Mr Lister, who has openly clashed with Opposition Leader Marc Bean in the past, opted to go Independent last year before announcing in September that he would be retiring from politics.

Mr Simmons is no stranger to the House of Assembly, having previously served as a member of parliament between 2002 and 2007 representing Pembroke West under the United Bermuda Party banner. During that period, he served as Shadow Environment Minister, Shadow Minister for Human Rights, Shadow Minister for Transport and Shadow Minister for Race Relations and Economic Empowerment before resigning from the party. He later served as press secretary and chief of staff for former Premier Ewart Brown.

Prior to his election, he said that he intended to fight for young people who feel excluded in Bermuda, and that a PLP win in the constituency would bring greater balance to the House of Assembly.

“It’s critical for the PLP to retain this seat,” he said. “With the artificially inflated majority of the OBA, after the defection of Mr Lister and Randolph Horton, the Speaker of the House, the OBA haven’t been required to work with us. We have our say, but they have their way.

“There’s a great need for balance and collaboration. That’s what people want.”