ST. CROIX — Bernadette Patricia Welcome was sworn in Wednesday as a delegate to the Virgin Islands Sixth Constitutional Convention during an Oath of Office ceremony before Superior Court Presiding Judge Jessica Gallivan on St. Croix, formally filling a vacancy created by the death of former Senator Ronald Russell.
Welcome’s appointment follows a succession process outlined in the Virgin Islands Code after Russell’s death left open one of St. Croix’s seven convention seats.
After taking her oath, Welcome thanked supporters gathered in the courtroom.
“I’m really thankful that this village came out to support me,” she said.
She then read a brief statement.
“Everything in divine order, and thanks be to God and His order and timing,” she said.
Welcome noted that 1,413 people voted for her in the convention election.
“I really appreciate this village of family and friends coming out, and also people who encouraged me to seek this office, who are here with me today to support me and to witness this historic moment,” she said.
Thanking Gallivan and convention delegates in attendance, Welcome said she looks forward to the work ahead.
“I’m looking forward to working with everyone, and we will have a constitution that complies with the U.S. Constitution,” she said.
Welcome also thanked Democratic State Chair Carol Burke, who encouraged her to seek a delegate seat.
Russell — an attorney, musician, four-term senator, and Sixth Constitutional Convention delegate — died May 6 at his sister’s residence in New York. He was 71.
A longtime St. Croix attorney, Russell founded The Russell Law Firm LLP in 1990 and was known for bringing a legal perspective to public service. First elected in 2002 to the 25th Legislature, he served four terms, including as vice president of the 26th Legislature and later president of the 29th Legislature. He also served in the 27th Legislature and built a reputation as an advocate for St. Croix issues.
In 2024, voters elected Russell as one of seven St. Croix delegates to the Sixth Constitutional Convention, the body charged with drafting a proposed constitution for the Virgin Islands.
His death triggered Section 4(h) of Act No. 8681 (Bill No. 34-0153), which governs vacancies during convention proceedings.
In a May 11 letter to Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes, Convention President Usie Richards notified election officials of Russell’s passing and requested certification of a replacement delegate. Richards cited the law requiring vacancies to be filled automatically by the unelected candidate who received the next highest number of votes in the election. If candidates are tied, lots are drawn; if no eligible unelected candidate remains, convention delegates select a replacement from the affected district.
Fawkes responded the same day, confirming that Welcome would be certified to the seat. General election results showed that Michael Springer Jr. received the highest vote total among unelected candidates in the St. Croix delegate race, followed by Dianna P. Osborne. Fawkes stated in her letter that voter registration records showed both Springer and Osborne were deceased.
The vacancy passed to Welcome as the next highest vote-getter. The Elections System subsequently issued Welcome a certification letter informing her she had been certified as a delegate to the Sixth Constitutional Convention for the St. Croix District.
Wednesday’s swearing-in formally seated Welcome and restored full representation for St. Croix in the convention’s ongoing work to draft a proposed Virgin Islands constitution.
