The two candidates running in the election for a Corporation of Hamilton councillor have said that their main goal was to advocate on behalf of the City.

Mia Chambray and Michael Branco will go head-to-head tomorrow.

Ms Chambray, who runs Cassine, a store on Reid Street selling environmentally friendly beauty products, said she was a “fourth-generation retailer” in Hamilton.

She said: “Hamilton is a really deeply entrenched part of my family history.

“I always say that, for my family, all roads lead back to Reid Street.

“For me, Hamilton is not just a place — it’s a heartbeat and it’s who we are. Hamilton is very, very special.”

Ms Chambray, who is running for the first time, said she did so because she felt it was important to be involved in her community’s matters and believed she could bring a “fresh” perspective as a newcomer, a retailer and a woman.

Ms Chambray said: “I sat in on a couple of the meetings and I really liked the people around the table and really loved the experience of listening and seeing the process.”

She added: “I think that a different perspective from me would just be my everyday lived experience in businesses in the City of Hamilton.

“I just feel like it would be really important to be at the table and help make critical decisions for the city that is so much of my cultural and historical fabric.”

Ms Chambray said that, if elected, she hoped to bring to the city events such as farmer’s markets.

She said: “I really want to bring excitement to Hamilton, to make people want to come to the city to shop and think of Hamilton as an ultimate destination, whether you’re a local or a resident.”

The election was called after the death of councillor Larry Scott last month.

Only business ratepayers are eligible to take part in the extraordinary municipal election.

Mr Branco, a technology consultant who owns Celeste Ventures, initially ran in 2019 against Mr Scott, but lost by five votes.

He said he would be coming into an election with a different format than before. He explained that, while the last election was a “full council slate,” this one was between only him and Ms Chambray.

Mr Branco added he was surprised how close he got to being voted in last time and that it signalled there was “an appetite for the next generation of leadership”.

He said: "This by-election is different in structure and hard to compare directly but I’m genuinely pleased to see a fresh face like Mia step forward.

“It’s a positive sign for the future of the City.”

Mr Branco said during the five years since the last election, he had gained hands-on experience serving on several Hamilton committees.

He added: “That experience has given me a much deeper understanding of how the corporation operates, the challenges it faces and where I can help.

“I’ve been directly involved in work around infrastructure, finance, IT modernisation and supporting the unsheltered population, meaning I can step into the role on Day 1 and contribute.”

Additionally, Mr Branco said that he had gained six more years of executive business experience.

He said that he had completed coursework for a doctorate in business administration at Rutgers Business School in New Jersey in the US, with a focus on AI and finance.

Mr Branco said: “As I approach my 50th birthday and earn the title of Dr Branco next year, I bring not just business experience but also the perspective that comes with years of service, leadership and commitment to Bermuda."

The election will be held tomorrow at St Paul AME Church’s Centennial Hall on Court Street.