ST. CROIX — According to information from the Elections System of the Virgin Islands, Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett picked up a form for filing nomination papers at 8 a.m. Tuesday to run in the gubernatorial race during the 2026 election cycle. Sheila Scullion, an independent who has run for the top office before, also picked up a petition.
Tuesday was the first day the forms became available at the Elections System in both districts.
While Plaskett did not pick up a petition to run for Delegate to Congress, that race is already seeing heavy traction with Democrats Rashida Francis, former Senator Janelle Sarauw, and former U.S. Attorney Delia Smith picking up nomination papers on St. Thomas. Independent Ida Smith, who ran against Plaskett last year, also picked up papers. On St. Croix, Democrat Nicole T.A. Helenese picked up a petition while Shelley Moorhead picked up petitions under the ICM banner and as an independent.
The aspirants seeking to run for public office include independents as well as those affiliated with the territory’s three political parties — Democrat, Republican and Independent Citizens Movement, or ICM.
In the Senate race on St. Croix, only three people picked up nomination papers so far — Democrats Lynda Nikki Brooks, a business owner and singer, and Senator Hubert Frederick, as well as independent Julian Viera, who has previously run for the Legislature.
In contrast, in the St. Thomas/St. John District the Senate race is seeing much interest on the first day. A total of eight petitions were picked up by Democrats — Senator Angel Bolques Jr. for the at-Large seat and six-term Senator Marvin Blyden, and previous candidates Jonathan Tucker, Lorelei Monsanto, and Joel Browne Connors, as well as newcomers May Leader, Kashief Hamilton — who was instrumental in rescuing a wheelchair bound passenger who fell off the WICO dock in 2019 — and delegate to the Sixth Constitutional Convention Rudel Hodge Jr. Three independent aspirants have picked up petitions — Brett McClafferty, who is a convicted felon and may have issues qualifying for the ballot, Krishna Kilaru, and Senator Dwayne DeGraff. Margaret Price and David Sierra, both of the ICM party, picked up papers along with Eric Tillett, a Republican.
Also in the St. Thomas/St. John District, Raven Phillips, an independent, picked up nomination papers to serve on the Board of Elections and Bruce Flamon, an independent, to serve on the Board of Education.
The first day to circulate nomination papers is Sunday. The first day on which nomination papers may be filed is May 12, and the last day is May 19. It is important to note that picking up nomination papers/petitions does not automatically translate to a person filing to run for office.
