ST. CROIX — The three Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor debated banking regulation, affordable housing, health insurance, government oversight, and public accountability during a forum presented by WTJX and The Virgin Islands Consortium, which included a disagreement over whether the Legislature should have held oversight hearings into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s activities in the Virgin Islands.
The debate, moderated by WTJX NewsFeed radio news reporter Marcellina Ventura-Douglas and Consortium publisher Ernice Gilbert, featured Senator Novelle Francis Jr., Senate President Milton Potter, and St. Croix Educational Complex Principal Rodney Moorehead. The hour-long debate was recorded on July 16 at WTJX’s television studio on St. Croix and premiered Sunday night on WTJX-TV and its social media platforms.
Candidates were questioned on a wide range of issues affecting the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, including banking oversight, insurance regulation, and housing finance. They also faced pointed questions about their own records.
Potter was asked why, despite widespread international investigations into Epstein and allegations that women and girls were sexually abused on Little St. James, the Legislature never held hearings to determine whether government agencies or officials enabled or overlooked his activities.
Potter defended the Legislature’s decision, pointing to the Virgin Islands government’s civil lawsuit against Epstein’s estate, which resulted in millions of dollars in settlements, including compensation for victims.
“I know that the U.S. Virgin Islands did its part,” he said, crediting former Attorney General Denise George, who filed the lawsuit, which led to securing funds for victims and families.
With regards to holding hearings, Potter said it seemed to him like doing so would have led the Legislature down a black hole with no end in sight.
“I’m not going to unilaterally make that decision,” he said. “In a collaborative spirit, we decided that there was nothing constructive to be gained in going down that road of opening big Jeffrey Epstein hearings here in the territory.”
When asked if the body made a collective decision to not hold any hearings, Potter clarified there was no caucus meeting or vote.
“But in speaking with individual members, it was clear that that was not something that we were prepared to do at this time with everything else that was going on here in the territory,” he said.
Francis said he was never asked about it. He said he knew of several majority members who were interested in holding a hearing, and that legislation authorizing an investigation had been circulating. He said hearings would not only identify any government failures but also help establish policies to prevent similar situations from happening again.
“I’m hoping and it’s my desire to see that at least a hearing is held before the end of the 36th Legislature,” Francis said.
Francis, however, has not been publicly vocal on the issue of the Legislature holding Epstein hearings until this debate.
Moorehead agreed a hearing should be held.
“We cannot protect anyone,” he said. “We need to let the information go out to every single person so we could be aware because we’re just hearing more and more. And I think the time to act in that case is right now. Nothing precedes them from doing that, but let’s bring justice to the victims.”
When Potter responded that victims had already received settlement funds, Francis said accountability remained incomplete.
“The who, what, when, where, how still need to be determined,” Francis said. “Justice is not served until such time we are able to hold those people accountable.”
Beyond the Epstein discussion, candidates debated how the lieutenant governor’s office should improve banking services, expand homeownership opportunities, and address the lack of individual health insurance plans in the territory.
Potter proposed convening a banking summit to attract additional financial institutions, saying more competition would improve products and services available to Virgin Islanders. Francis questioned whether recruiting banks could create a conflict with the lieutenant governor’s role as regulator, while Moorehead stressed the need to first collect the data financial institutions need before expanding services.
The candidates also discussed federal evaluations showing limited mortgage lending to low- and moderate-income borrowers. Moorehead pledged to fully staff the Banking Board and require greater accountability from lenders, Francis said banks benefiting from government deposits should do more to serve Virgin Islanders, and Potter called for stronger regulatory oversight and more personnel.
Housing and construction financing also became a major topic as candidates discussed the limited availability of residential construction loans despite programs such as the Virgin Islands Slice Moderate-Income Homeownership Program. Moorehead said homeownership remains too difficult, Francis called for expanding and reassessing the Slice program, and Potter argued government must work more closely with banks to ensure housing initiatives produce meaningful results.
The candidates also agreed the territory needs comprehensive individual health insurance options. Francis proposed redirecting money currently spent on uncompensated care, Potter suggested using a portion of uncollected property taxes while offering incentives to insurers, and Moorehead said restoring private insurance options is essential because too many Virgin Islanders remain uninsured.
Moderators also questioned Moorehead about his leadership in maintenance and safety concerns at St. Croix Educational Complex, including student protests and complaints about heat, mold, and a ceiling fan that injured a student. Moorehead said school administrators report maintenance issues, but repairs are handled by the Department of Education. Asked why he had not been more publicly visible during those controversies, Moorehead said he is always visible on campus while ensuring everyone remains safe. He said he communicates directly with parents and makes his concerns known to the school superintendent or Department of Education commissioner rather than speaking on the radio.
Moorehead defended his handling of Complex’s graduation this year after complaints that some invited family members were unable to enter the ceremony. He said some parents had to wait until after the student procession ended before they could access the venue, maintaining that there was sufficient space and everyone was allowed inside.
Francis was questioned about the Legislature’s failure to act on the Virgin Islands Compensation Commission report resulting in salary increases for the governor, lieutenant governor and multiple government officials during his presidency in the 35th Legislature that were ultimately rescinded during Potter’s presidency in the 36th. Francis accepted responsibility for the Legislature’s inaction, denied receiving the commission’s email, and pledged to release Senate delivery logs and information technology records related to the matter.
WTJX previously reported on January 7, 2025, that the Commission’s report was transmitted on August 13, 2024, to Francis, Governor Albert Bryan Jr., and Chief Justice Rhys Hodge via email.
WTJX reached out to Francis on Saturday about receiving said logs and IT records related to the email. He said he directed his chief of staff immediately after the debate to request the information from the Legislature.
The candidates also highlighted accomplishments they believe have improved residents’ quality of life. Potter cited legislation expanding mental health counseling in schools, allowing retired government employees to return to work while collecting pensions, and an amendment to the law that allowed homeowners to renovate the bottom of their homes that was known as the “basement bill.” Francis pointed to legislation increasing minimum government salaries, supporting the Government Employees’ Retirement System, funding retroactive wage payments, and creating the Catalyst Fund for small businesses.
The debate concluded with each candidate describing how they would work with their respective gubernatorial candidates if elected.
Francis said he has worked with Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach for over a decade, adding that he knows he will have a seat at the table. Potter described his partnership with Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett as “a no drama administration,” and Moorehead said he and former Senator Donna Frett-Gregory have committed to maintaining open communication while respecting differences of opinion.
The Democratic primary election is scheduled for August 1. Early voting for the primary begins July 20 on St. Croix and St. Thomas, and July 23 on St. John.
