Dennis Lister III, Quinton Butterfield and Crystal Caesar have been unveiled as Progressive Labour Party candidates for the General Election.

All three are set to fight for seats won by One Bermuda Alliance candidates in the 2012 General Election.

Mr Lister, a Somerset Trojans footballer and the son of veteran PLP MP Dennis Lister, will run in Warwick West, where he will challenge the incumbent, Jeff Sousa.

Speaking at a press conference, the former member of the Bermuda Road Safety Council said tackling impaired driving was his top priority.

“Impaired driving is a very serious problem in Bermuda and I encourage everyone to think choose life,” he said.

“I support road side sobriety checks and encourage the police in their fight against impaired driving.”

Asked about what concerns his constituents have voiced to him, he said that the condition of the island’s schools — particularly TN Tatem Middle School — are a major issue for residents.

“We know the struggles that the government has, but each individual in a neighbourhood needs to feel important, and it’s best that the government, whether it is us or the present government, do everything they can about each individual community,” he said.

Meanwhile Mr Butterfield, owner of the Central Diagnostics Medical Laboratory, will run in Southampton East Central, which is held by Leah Scott of the OBA.

Mr Butterfield has served as a member of the Board of Education, as deputy chairman of the Bermuda College Board and as a member of the Air Operations Board.

Addressing the media, noted his role as a candidate in the 1998 General Election in which the PLP won control of the House of Assembly for the first time.

“I was here when we celebrated right here and I estimated that there were 10,000 to 12,000 people,” he said. “I have never seen anything like that in Bermuda. I have never seen so much hope in this country, and I want that again.

“I intend to fight for that, along with my PLP colleagues.”

He said the PLP intends to work on behalf of all with bipartisan economic and immigration reform to ensure the future of the island, striking a balance between all interests.

“Our people must understand that we must make some difficult decisions, and this is a balance that we must achieve,” he said. “We must become a community where Bermudians feel supported and encouraged by their government, and not one where we feel we are second class citizens to guest workers or investors.

“However we must also ensure that our guest workers are welcome and that their investment in this island are very much appreciated.”

Mr Butterfield noted that more than 600 registered voters in the constituency failed to cast ballots in the last General Election, urging residents to make their voices heard.

Ms Caesar, the financial controller at ASW Law, will compete in Southampton West Central, which was won by Shawn Crockwell for the OBA five years ago.

She said that she became involved in politics because she felt her interests and concerns were not a priority of the OBA.

“I believe we can and must do better to reduce the disparities between the two Bermudas, and to ensure that we all have access to opportunity,” she said. “Too many are being left behind, and in many cases we are suffering from an exodus of many young, talented, and intelligent people. We cannot afford to lose these young Bermudians.”

Ms Caesar added that she was looking forward to meeting with the constituents in Southampton West Central and hearing their concerns.

Mr Burt concluded that he was confident all three candidates would do Bermuda proud, adding: “The PLP is focused on ushering in a new type of leadership that, in government, will put Bermudians first.”

The election will take place on Tuesday, July 18.