ST. CROIX AT A CROSSROADS: NEW LEADERSHIP,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 2, 2026 | Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 

Senate Candidate Raymond T. James Calls for Municipal Reform, Stronger Public Services, Local Employment and Responsible Management of Federal Recovery Funding CHRISTIANSTED, ST. CROIX — On the eve of the November 3 general election, Raymond T. James, Esq., Republican candidate for the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, District of St. Croix, outlined his proposals to address the island’s economic challenges, strengthen essential public services and improve government accountability. 

“St. Croix stands at a crossroads. We face serious challenges in healthcare, employment, agriculture, public safety, electricity and economic development. These issues are connected, and addressing them requires more than additional spending. We must examine how government is organized, how decisions are made and how public officials are held accountable,” Mr. James stated. 

Economic Opportunity: Rebuilding St. Croix’s Economic Foundation 

St. Croix’s population declined from 50,601 residents in 2010 to 41,004 in 2020, a decrease of approximately 19 percent. Reported August 2026 unemployment figures placed St. Croix at 5.5 percent, compared with 3.5 percent for St. Thomas–St. John. 

Mr. James believes these disparities warrant district-specific economic development strategies, including a safe, environmentally responsible and financially viable refinery restart; expanded agriculture and support for farmers and fishermen; small business development and historic property rehabilitation; and workforce opportunities connected to infrastructure reconstruction. 

“St. Croix cannot depend on a single industry. Our economic future requires a diversified approach that recognizes our agricultural resources, industrial infrastructure, historic towns, small businesses and workforce.” 

Essential Public Services: Healthcare, Electricity, Food Security and Public Safety 

Healthcare: Mr. James proposes greater district-level management responsibility for the Juan F. Luis Hospital, with dedicated executive leadership, financial oversight, improved medical supplies and measurable patient-care standards. 

Electricity: Repeated WAPA service interruptions underscore the need to examine structural reform, district-level operational accountability, maintenance and transparent financial management. 

Food security and SNAP: Mr. James supports assistance for qualifying households affected by SNAP changes or interruptions, including a coordinated food-bridge initiative and partnerships with nonprofits and local agricultural producers. 

Crime: His proposals include modern law enforcement technology, stronger federal cooperation, youth intervention and community-based prevention. 

“Reliable electricity, accessible healthcare, safe neighborhoods and food security are essential to a functioning economy. Government must be accountable for delivering these basic services.”

Government Accountability: Municipal Reform and Decentralization 

Mr. James believes the Virgin Islands should seriously examine restoring municipal government and decentralizing appropriate public responsibilities. “One Virgin Islands does not require one economic strategy,” he stated. 

Municipal or district-level administration could assume greater responsibility for selected infrastructure priorities, economic development, agricultural programs and community services. He also supports examining stronger district-level governance of hospitals and utility operations, while preserving appropriate territory-wide standards and financial coordination. 

“Municipal government is not about separating our islands. It is about bringing decisions closer to the people affected by them and making government more responsive and accountable. 

Any restructuring, Mr. James emphasized, must undergo legislative and legal review, include sustainable financing and avoid unnecessary duplication." 

Federal Recovery: A Once-in-a-Generation Responsibility 

As of August 31, 2026, the Office of Disaster Recovery reported approximately $25.71 billion allocated, $24.55 billion obligated and $4.89 billion expended. The approximately $20.82 billion difference between allocated and expended funding represents nearly 13 times the proposed $1.64 billion Fiscal Year 2027 territorial budget. 

These figures do not represent unrestricted cash or funding immediately available for expenditure. Federal program requirements, project approvals, reimbursement processes and expenditure schedules govern their use. 

Mr. James calls for stronger project management, independent oversight, transparent reporting, appropriate district-level participation and effective coordination to address federal funding delays or interruptions. 

“We must measure success not simply by the billions allocated, but by the number of hospitals rebuilt, roads repaired, schools modernized, homes restored and electricity systems improved.” 

Federal Recovery Must Also Create Local Employment 

Senatorial candidate, Raymond T. James believes that unprecedented federal investment in rebuilding the Virgin Islands must also provide meaningful employment opportunities for local residents. He proposes that, wherever legally permissible, the government make local hiring and apprenticeship opportunities a priority in negotiations involving federally funded reconstruction projects. 

“With billions of dollars being invested in rebuilding our infrastructure, we must also invest in our people. Our residents should have meaningful opportunities to work on these projects, and where additional skills are required, apprenticeship and training opportunities should be encouraged. The benefits of reconstruction must extend beyond completed projects to include jobs, skills and lasting economic opportunities for Virgin Islands residents,” Mr. James stated. 

“The success of federal reconstruction should be measured not only by the infrastructure we rebuild, but also by the employment opportunities and skills we create for Virgin Islands residents,”

Leadership, Responsibility and Results 

“For too long, the discussion has centered on how much money government needs rather than whether its management structure delivers results. We must examine whether decisions affecting St. Croix’s hospital, electricity, infrastructure and economic development can be made more effectively through responsible district-level administration.

“St. Croix has the resources, the workforce, the land and the economic potential to build a stronger future. Our responsibility is to ensure that public policy, government management and investment decisions translate those opportunities into meaningful results. 

“The next Legislature must examine not only how much government spends, but how government is organized, how decisions are made and who is accountable when services fail,” Mr. James stated.

“Service for the people, not for self.” 

About Raymond T. James, Esq. 

Raymond T. James is the Republican candidate for the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, District of St. Croix, Ballot No. 20. He is a former Assistant Attorney General, former Chairman of the Government Employees’ Retirement System Board, former Chairman of Christiansted Credit Union and former Racing Commission Chairman. He is a graduate of Howard University School of Law and holds a Certificate in Negotiations from the Wharton School. James is also a farmer and small business owner. 

Political advertisement paid for by Raymond T. James, Republican candidate for the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, District of St. Croix.