ST. CROIX — The three Democratic candidates for governor clashed over government corruption, WAPA, the cost of living, healthcare, disaster recovery, public safety, and their own records during a debate hosted by WTJX and The Virgin Islands Consortium.
Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach, Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett, and former Senator Donna Frett-Gregory presented competing visions for leading the territory ahead of the Democratic primary while trading criticism over ethics, Jeffrey Epstein, federal politics, and the Bryan administration’s performance.
The two-hour debate, which was recorded on July 16 at the WTJX television studio on St. Croix, premiered Monday night on WTJX-TV, Channel 12 and its social media platforms. It was moderated by WTJX NewsFeed radio reporter Marcellina Ventura-Douglas and Consortium publisher Ernice Gilbert.
Corruption dominated early exchanges following the federal convictions of former Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White, former Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal, and former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez. Pressed on why he remained publicly silent and why the administration did not launch broader investigations despite evidence suggesting systemic corruption, Roach said the government avoided commenting to respect the judicial process, adding that justice has now been served.
“We have to do better,” Roach said. “We have to make sure that the conflicts-of-interest laws are clear and that they are adhered to by each department person.”
The exchange grew contentious over Jeffrey Epstein.
Plaskett was questioned about her 2025 CNN comments describing Jeffrey Epstein as not a friend while text messages later released in U.S. Department of Justice files showed her telling Epstein she hoped she was not “presumptuous” to consider him a friend. The debate moderator asked why she characterized the relationship differently in the CNN interview. She said referring to Epstein as a “friend” in a text exchange was a common expression of appreciation for campaign support and did not reflect a personal friendship.
Frett-Gregory challenged Plaskett’s explanation that referring to Epstein as a “friend” was a passing phrase, saying the exchange raised serious concerns about accountability and transparency.
“You traveled to New York and knocked on his door via plane or train to share the people of the Virgin Islands’ information so you could have one up in the next election,” she said. “That’s not a passing situation.”
Frett-Gregory was asked about the fiscal impact of her proposal to give property tax relief to seniors. She said the impact on the treasury would be minimal but could not provide a figure. She argued the territory should grow its economy rather than rely on seniors to balance the budget and said government should prioritize supporting older residents facing difficult choices between property taxes, medication, and healthcare costs.
Roach said Frett-Gregory indicated the relief would go to “senior seniors,” and that the figure would be “minimal.”
“She has no idea what it is,” he said.
Roach pointed out that senior citizens are 60 years old and older.
“That is the bulk of our taxpaying population, and it would be a tremendous impact on the property tax collection,” he said.
Plaskett described Frett-Gregory’s proposal as “disingenuous,” and a way to “lure people in,” noting that 60% of the territory’s property tax income is paid by seniors.
On federal politics, Plaskett was asked if serving as a House impeachment manager against President Donald Trump could hinder federal support. She cited her bipartisan record working across administrations.
Roach argued that Plaskett’s political opposition to Trump could put the Virgin Islands’ federal interests at risk. He cited Trump’s willingness to withhold or influence federal actions, including disaster aid decisions, and said it was irresponsible to assume the territory would not face negative consequences.
“The placement of the delegate in the national light in this role of impeachment puts us squarely in harm’s way with regard to this president,” he said.
Plaskett, in response, said she has successfully secured federal resources for the Virgin Islands under both Republican and Democratic administrations and Congresses.
On frequent power outages at the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, Roach proposed a first 100-days forensic financial audit alongside ongoing debt restructuring, renewable expansion, and infrastructure work. Plaskett called WAPA a top priority, proposing an energy emergency declaration to unlock federal aid, expand battery storage, build microgrids, and utilize $4.7 billion in modernization funding. Frett-Gregory advocated a public-private partnership to rebuild operations while using federal funds for temporary generation.
Regarding splitting solar savings between bill credits and debt reduction, Frett-Gregory supported the idea, Plaskett agreed if financially feasible, and Roach questioned the moderator’s proposed split while supporting passing savings to residents.
“There may be other ways of doing it,” Roach said.
To tackle affordability and revenue, Frett-Gregory proposed creating higher-paying jobs, lowering utility and import costs, and building a “blue economy” transshipment hub on St. Croix. Plaskett pointed to reliable energy, housing, small business support, and recurring revenue from permanent Earned Income and Child Tax Credit federal reimbursements alongside new trade with Caribbean and African markets. Roach advocated lowering utility costs, reviewing the gross receipts tax, expanding homeownership, and boosting revenue through the cannabis industry, British Virgin Islands charter-yacht ties, and South Shore development.
On healthcare, Plaskett urged fixing hospital billing and cash management while raising healthcare budget priorities. Roach defended broader government cash improvements while agreeing hospitals must collect owed revenue. Frett-Gregory called for outsourcing hospital billing, improving medical coding, and directing more government resources toward healthcare.
Roach defended his handling of the failed Optimum Global Insurance program while proposing the territory explore a universal health insurance model. Frett-Gregory proposed a territory-wide group insurance program for businesses, drawing criticism from Roach. Plaskett suggested studying whether U.S. territories could jointly participate in an Affordable Care Act insurance exchange, arguing that pooling resources could help expand access to affordable coverage.
“That is something that I think we should revisit collectively to see how we can pool resources,” Plaskett said. “We know that not having care costs us more on the back end than not having it in the beginning.”
Nearly nine years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Plaskett urged faster disaster recovery through regular stakeholder meetings to eliminate delays. Frett-Gregory pledged to cut procurement bureaucracy to fast-track hospital and school construction. Roach defended recovery progress, pointing to completed projects, EnVIsion Tomorrow housing upgrades, and stronger building codes.
On public safety, Roach proposed temporarily consolidating peace officers into the Virgin Islands Police Department during crises while boosting pay and incentives. Plaskett emphasized recruitment and retention incentives for officers, nurses, and teachers. Frett-Gregory focused on crime prevention via youth programs and reopened community centers.
On homelessness and behavioral health, Roach cited transitional housing at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility as an expansion model. Plaskett highlighted secured federal outreach funding. Frett-Gregory criticized the administration for diverting $18 million from a planned St. Croix behavioral health facility to pay bills and called for repairing the Eldra Schulterbrandt Long Term Care Facility on St. Thomas.
Addressing the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, Roach backed university involvement in early education and virtual learning. Plaskett urged addressing education, housing, healthcare, and safety holistically. Frett-Gregory called for channeling federal funds into early childhood programs, career education, and wraparound services.
Other exchanges included Frett-Gregory defending her creation of the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance, arguing the agency’s shortcomings resulted from poor implementation rather than flaws in the law.
“That’s why I’m running for governor because implementation of legislation matters,” she said.
All candidates pledged government transparency through regular press briefings, with Plaskett proposing additional town halls. Plaskett and Frett-Gregory criticized official communication during WAPA outages, which Roach defended.
The debate concluded with personal questions about leadership and legacy.
Plaskett and Frett-Gregory were asked what it would mean to them to be the first female governor of the Virgin Islands if they pass the primary and prevail in the general election, and what legacy they hope to leave behind for women, girls, and girl dads.
Plaskett said throughout this campaign, she has not focused on the fact that she is a woman as someone to qualify. She said she thinks that being the first woman then allows that to come off the table so that every girl sees herself as an equal to the men who are here in the territory. Frett-Gregory said her focus is not on becoming the first woman governor but on creating lasting improvements in healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and quality of life.
Asked what it would mean to become the Virgin Islands’ first naturalized citizen elected governor, Roach said the milestone would reflect the territory’s inclusiveness and demonstrate that immigrants who commit themselves to the Virgin Islands can succeed through public service.
The Democratic primary election is scheduled for August 1. Early voting for the primary began Monday on St. Croix and St. Thomas and will begin July 23 on St. John. A total of 970 voters participated in the first day of early voting, including 509 on St. Croix and 461 in the St. Thomas/St. John District. Early voting concludes July 29.
If you missed the gubernatorial debate, you can catch it on the WTJX YouTube page. The delegate to Congress debate premieres tonight at 8 o’clock on WTJX-TV, Channel 12 and its social media platforms.
