ST. CROIX — Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach picked up nomination papers Thursday as a Democrat to enter the gubernatorial race in the St. Thomas/St. John District, as the field for the 2026 election cycle continued to grow with more aspirants picking up petitions across both districts.
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Roach, an attorney and former senator, has served as lieutenant governor since 2019 after being elected on the ticket with Governor Albert Bryan Jr. He previously served in the Legislature from 2013 to 2018.
Also in the St. Thomas/St. John District, Democrat Michael A. Smith, who ran for Senate in 2024, and Republican Collister Fahie both picked up senatorial petitions. Fahie, who also ran for the Legislature in 2024 and has been involved in elections-related advocacy, additionally picked up papers for the Board of Elections, as did fellow Republican Randolph Thomas.
On St. Croix, independent Diane Prosper and Democrat Omar B.U. Henry, an educator who sought a Senate seat in the 2014 Democratic primary, picked up petitions to enter the district’s Senate race. Prosper, a retired assistant warden with the Bureau of Corrections and licensed mental health therapist, ran for the Legislature as an independent in 2024.
Democrat James Weber III picked up nomination papers to run for delegate to Congress on St. Croix. Weber served in the 27th Legislature from 2007 to 2008, where he held the role of secretary of the Legislature, and later served as deputy supervisor of elections.
Also picking up papers Wednesday were two candidates for board seats.
Mary Moorhead, a longtime educator and civic advocate who is a member of the Virgin Islands Board of Education, picked up papers as an independent to serve on the Board of Elections. Terrence Joseph, whose 30-year educational career included serving as a history teacher, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent of schools for the St. Croix District, picked up papers as a Democrat to seek another term on the Board of Education, where he has served since 2013.
Picking up nomination papers does not obligate a candidate to formally file. The first day to circulate nomination papers is Sunday. Candidates may file between May 12 and 19.
