UBP candidate for constituency 17 Austin Warner was born and raised in New York City.

He studied Theology at Oakwood College in Alabama, received a Master's degree in Counselling from Faith College in Alabama and is currently pursuing a PhD in Addiction Psychology at the International University for Graduate Studies.

He is married to Sondra and has two children, 33 and 15, and five grandchildren.

Mr. Warner has worked as a guidance counsellor at Sandys Secondary Middle School and is the producer and host of Family Focus, his popular award-winning weekly radio show on ZBM 1340. He is currently employed at Turning Point.

He told The Royal Gazette he has real concerns about safety in the Pembroke Central — especially for the seniors. "I would like to focus on and get rid of the drug problem," Mr. Warner said. "It makes it unsafe for some of us, all of us. The seniors need to access their homes. I'm also concerned about the noise levels and traffic. It has a rippling effect."

Another issue he would like to tackle is cleaning up the canal that travels from BAA field, around the Woodlands Road area to St. John's Road.

"I have a concern about the canal as it sort of travels through certain areas. I did have some involvement in getting it possibly cleaned up. It's bordering on a health hazard. They have really struggled with this for quite a while now. I want to make headway and resolve it."

When asked about his achievements, Mr. Warner said: "I'm not a guy who likes to do that", but mentioned his involvement in the Council Partners Charitable Trust from 1998-2001. The organisation raised $1.5 million for substance abuse prevention and treatment programmes.

He said: "We really made some milestones. We raised more money than anybody ever did through events that galvanised the Island. There was no sense of white or black, big or small."

When asked what he would like to say about the election, Mr. Warner said: "I'm excited about what's happening in Bermuda. I don't believe in sledging or demeaning people's names. It's going to be an opportunity for Bermudians to make a difference or a change. I'm excited about being a part of this wonderful opportunity to help serve the country."