ST. CROIX — Democratic candidates seeking various public offices selected their ballot positions for the August 1 primary election Friday during separate castings of lots simultaneously held at Elections System of the Virgin Islands offices in both districts.
All candidates running under the party’s banner were initially qualified to run by the Office of the Supervisor of Elections after the office determined they met statutory requirements. The Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands then certified those candidates who met the party’s own internal requirements.
This is the first election cycle during which the dual certification occurred. The new process followed a mediated settlement agreement reached between the Democratic Party and Elections System on April 23, resolving a federal lawsuit DPVI filed against ESVI, Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes, and Board of Elections Chair Raymond Williams.
The settlement was rooted in constitutional principles outlined in a District Court ruling from January 2024 in the case of Republican National Committee et al v. Virgin Islands Board of Elections et al. In that case, Chief Judge Robert Molloy determined several of the territory’s election laws improperly interfered with the internal governance of political parties. The ruling affirmed that political parties have a protected constitutional right to determine their leadership and the process for nominating and certifying candidates.
Following the certification, Democratic candidates running for governor, delegate to Congress, Senate, Board of Education, and Board of Elections picked numbers during casting of the lots on Friday. They either participated themselves, sent a representative to pull their number, or had their number pulled by an Elections System official.
There are three Democratic gubernatorial teams heading to the primary. Electors in both districts will have a chance to vote for them. Those candidates and their lot numbers are Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach and running mate Senator Novelle Francis Jr., 1; Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett and running mate Senate President Milton Potter, 2; and former Senator Donna Frett-Gregory and running mate Rodney Moorehead, 3.
Roach, who noted he and Francis have been discussing a gubernatorial run for at least a year, said they both have a proven record, describing Francis’ time leading the Virgin Islands Police Department, his time as a leader within the Department of Education, and both of their roles as senators.
“When you assess this team, it won’t be just a matter of what we say we’re going to do, or what we think needs to happen,” Roach said. “You can look at that collective record of public service to this community with integrity on every level unmatched.”
Frett-Gregory, a former three-term senator, described a “surreal” casting of lots process because it was the first number she pulled as a candidate for governor. She noted she and Moorehead are results-oriented people who are going to bring the results home for “our people.”
“Our campaign is about the people of the Virgin Islands,” she said. “Our campaign is about families, about youths, about our senior citizens. Our campaign is about us, our people, and we are going to focus on health care. We’re going to focus on our infrastructure. We’re going to focus on our economy, which is something that’s super, super important to us.”
Roach and Frett-Gregory personally pulled their numbers at the casting of lots at the St. Thomas Elections System office. Stacey Plaskett’s husband Jonathan Buckney-Small drew the lot for the Plaskett/Potter team.
There are four Democrats running for delegate to Congress, another territorial office. Those candidates and their lot numbers are former Senator Emmett Hansen, 1; former U.S. Attorney Delia Smith, 2; Teri Helenese, 3; and former Senator Janelle Sarauw, 4.
There are 10 Democrats running for Senate on St. Croix, including four incumbents. Those candidates and their lot numbers are Senator Hubert Frederick, 1; Senator Clifford Joseph, 2; Dwight Mike Cartier, 3; Lynda “Nikki” Brooks, 4; Senator Kurt Vialet, 5; Jose “Besse” Gonzalez, 6; Lisa Charles, 7; Nemmy Williams-Jackson, 8; Omar B.U. Henry, 9; and Senator Kenneth Gittens, 10.
Gittens, a six-term senator, said he is proud of his record, grateful for the opportunity to serve, and hopeful for the chance to continue working for the people of the Virgin Islands.
“I also thank the other candidates for offering themselves for public service and wish them all the best in the campaign season ahead,” he said.
There are 12 Democrats running for Senate in the St. Thomas/St. John District, including four incumbents. Those candidates and their lot numbers are Kashief Hamilton, 1; Senator Carla Joseph, 2; Senator Marvin Blyden, 3; Lawrence Boschulte, 4; Peter Bailey, 5; Senator Avery Lewis, 6; Shenelle Fina Francis, 7; Michael Smith, 8; Mayard Leader, 9; Joel Browne Connors, 10; Senator Ray Fonseca, 11; and Rudel Hodge Jr., 12.
There are four Democrats running for a seat on the Board of Education on St. Croix, including two current board members. Those candidates and their lot numbers are Mojania Denis, 1; board member Terrence Joseph, 2; Christopher Jacobs Jr., 3; and board member Winona Hendricks, 4. WTJX spoke with the newcomers to race.
Denis, who chose to run for a seat on the Board of Education for his first attempt at seeking public office, said he made the decision because he has a deep commitment and devotion to the advancement of the Virgin Islands, and he recognizes that education is an important factor of any community.
“Education is the intersection of many important aspects in any society — health care, mental health, just everything combines in education, and education is how we advance futures and advance our youth,” he said. “So I decided to run for the Board of Education because I believe it is important that we really train our youth for the world that we live in today. There are some gaps that I experienced when I went through my public education career, and I want to do my part in advancing those for the students that are coming behind of me.”
Jacobs, who has never run for any public office before, discussed his motivation in seeking a seat on the Board of Education.
“I understand that there is a disconnect between our current educational system and the way that the world is moving forward today,” he said. “So the reason that I am running is I plan to modernize our educational system — not changing the existing foundation but bridging the gap between the old and the new to create something beautiful for not only our current generation but the future generation to come.”
There are four Democrats running for a seat on the Board of Education in the St. Thomas/St. John District, including two current board members. Those candidates and their lot numbers are board Secretary Arah Lockhart, 1; Michelle Cawthron, 2; D’Vonte Xavier, 3; and board member Judy Gomez, 4.
There are three Democrats running for a seat on the Board of Elections in the St. Thomas/St. John District, including one current board member. Those candidates and their lot numbers are Kevin Rodriguez, 1; Barbara Petersen, 2; and board member Atanya Springette, 3.
Now that the Democratic candidates have been qualified by the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, certified by the Democratic Party, and picked their lot numbers, the Elections System will begin preparing the ballots for the primary election.
“The supervisor’s goal is to have it approved at the next Board of Elections meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3,” Alexandre said.
