Plaskett-Potter, Sauraw, Vialet & Lewis Top Dems

M.A. Dworkin

USVI - Poised to be the 10th Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the first historic  female Governor of the USVI, Stacey E. Plaskett and her Lieutenant Governor running mate Milton Potter swept the 2026 Democratic Primary with a decisive win.

In what amounted to a record turnout for the Dems of 48 percent of registered Democratic voters going to the polls, with record early-voter turnout, to cast 9,561 votes in the gubernatorial contest, the Plaskett-Potter team garnered what amounts to a landslide victory of 4, 493 (unofficial) votes defeating their nearest challenger by 1,439 votes, the Roach-Francis team, which tallied 3.054. 

The main issues of the campaign centered on somehow fixing the high cost and consistency of WAPA providing electricity to the Territory, also somehow fixing the USVI hospital system, along with the delays of instituting federal funding that is to be used for recovery from the hurricanes. Other issues centered on the current spate of crime in St. Croix and St. Thomas; along with the corruption and scandals by local officials which has landed several of them in jail. 

In an early morning interview, Congresswoman Plaskett stated that as she went around to the polling centers on election day, she was overwhelmed by her sense of desire for change that was transmitted through those that supported her. 

“Our campaign really had specifics in policy areas that swayed them,” she stated about the turning point for those who were undecided as to their candidate.  

“All I am really thinking about is the work ahead,” she replied when asked if she was going to celebrate.  “I can’t spend too much time revelling, but thinking about how much work needs to be done…WAPA is still such a tremendous burden. And God-forbid something traumatic happens, our hospitals are not ready for it.”     

In the other important races, the Congressional and Legislative candidates who won the Democratic primary appear to have more of an uphill battle to win the general election in November. 

Former Senator Janelle K. Sarauw won the Democratic nomination for Delegate to Congress in what amounted to another landslide victory, capturing 53 percent of the votes with 4,913 of the 9,234 votes cast in what was a debate-driven four-way race that included runner-up Delia Smith with 3,007 votes. The main issues brought up during their campaign were the lack of using recovery funding provided by the federal government, and the USVI’s ability to command greater influence in Washington. 

In the St. Croix Legislative race, the ever-popular Senator Kurt Vialet, current Majority Leader in the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, was the top vote-getter in the St. Croix District with 3,539 votes; while popular Senators Kenneth Gittens, Hubert Frederick and Clifford Joseph ran strong. Rounding out the field of seven, Nemmy Williams-Jackson won a berth in the November election, as did Lisa Charles, and Jose Besse Gonzalez. 

Over in the St. Thomas-St. John District, Senator Avery Lewis topped the Senatorial field with 2,724 votes, with Senators Carla J. Joseph, Ray Fonseca and Marvin Blyden finishing strong; while newcomers Rudel Hodge Jr., Shenelle Fina Francis, and Joel Browne Connors (1,393), who picked up the last place and finished only four votes ahead of Peter Bailey (1,389) in the unofficial results.   

It’s now on to the November 3, 2026 general election. Given the lay of the current political landscape, it would appear to be a foregone conclusion that Stacey E. Plaskett will be the next Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands along with Milton Potter as her Lieutenant Governor. As far as the Delegate to Congress and the Senatorial positions, the USVI should prepare for another interesting campaign period. They say, you can never tell what will happen in politics, but it seems to be especially true in U.S. Virgin Islands’ politics.