'I am running for the 9th district again' - Dr. Hubert O'Neal
The only difference this time is he will not have to face political giant Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, the Territory's first Premier and current Leader of the Opposition and former Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP).
Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal was first elected in 1975 and has the title of the longest serving politician in the Virgin Islands and the English speaking Caribbean with over 39 years in office. He has surpassed his closest fellow Virgin Islands Party member and Founder H. Lavity Stoutt who served 38 years from 1957 to 1995.
Hon. O'Neal announced that he will not seek reelection for another term.
Why is Dr. O'Neal not giving up?
Dr. O'Neal, told our news site that he has been contesting this seat for quite a while and “since Mr O'Neal made his announcement many of my constituents have inquired about me and they want me to run, so that's what I'm doing," he said.
Asked what issues he would be seeking to address as district representative he said he hasn't yet sat down to look at what platform he will be campaigning on.
"Those things will come out during the campaign. I haven't really sat and formulated the platform I want to run on as yet. There are many things that need to be accomplished in the district," he said.
"I'm not prepared to put a public statement out there yet. I don't want to do that until I am out there campaigning," he said.
Has Hubert flip-flopped even before the race starts?
However, Dr. O'Neal’s new found declaration that he is running again came as a surprise to many as after the 2011 fourth consecutive defeat to Ralph O'Neal he told another online news site that he will be retiring from politics and will be grooming someone.
Dr. O'Neal was quoted telling a local online news media house that, "I believe that I may very well retire from politics. It is unlikely that I will be on the rostrum again. I will certainly support the party [ie NDP] and seek to find a replacement for myself...but it's highly unlikely that I will ever run again."
Not sure whom I am running with; all parties asking me! - Dr. O'Neal
However, Dr O’Neal, a member of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) from its inception, said that as of this point he is unsure which political party he will be running with.
Asked what which of the political parties he would be associating himself with this go round, he said that while he has been with the NDP from its inception, he could not at this stage say which party he would be running for.
"All of the parties have asked me to run. It is not in my position to say which party I am going to run with. As far as I know the NDP has not held a congress as yet and they have not chosen candidates. So it's not my decision to say who I am running with at this point," he said.
"My interest is with the people of Virgin Gorda and Anegada. I am loyal to them," he said.
Asked what some of the major concerns are on the ground of the district, Dr O'Neal said the biggest one was health care.
"This has been a sore point for many elections in the past. I think that is going to be my number one campaign issue. Also infrastructure, port development and things like that. But I don't want to get into those until the campaign starts," he said.
He said he is presently going around to the people of the constituency sourcing their opinion on things. Then I will reveal what my plans are based on what they tell me," Dr O'Neal said. "I don't want to make any pronouncements at this point," he said.
Three political parties denied asking him to run with them!
When this news site spoke with the representatives of the various parties on Dr O’Neal’s statement that all of the parties asked him to run, none of them could confirm whether this was so.
Chairman of the People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) Hon J. Alvin Christopher (R2) when called said that he had no knowledge of this. “Let me call you back…but I have no information on that,” Hon Christopher said.
Chairman of the Main Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) said that he knew nothing of this but added that he could not speak intelligently on it as he needed to be updated by the district committee whose decision it will be.
“I don’t know who in the party asked him. I don’t know what the district committee has done,” he said.
Conrad A. Maduro Chairman of the United Party said that he did not know anything about the party wanting Dr O’Neal to run.
He however said that it is the District Committee whose call it is to decide whom the party’s candidate for district representative will be.
“Actually the district committee should choose the district member to run for the party,” said Maduro.
Dr. O'Neal’s company sued his niece!
Dr. O'Neal was in the news recently when a company of which he is one of several shareholders in and is a director of Robinson O’Neal Enterprises was involved in a legal battle with a family member Dr. Cassandra Titley-O’Neal PhD., who is the administrator of her late father, Amos Jerome O'Neal’s estate according to court records.
The matter has been settled by the court and it remains unclear what effects this will have on his political career.
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47 Responses to “'I am running for the 9th district again' - Dr. Hubert O'Neal”
The difference is Ralph is no longer in the race so that leaves room for all who ran before including Dr. O'Neal to fight for the seat.
You have Larry Rhymer, Devon Osborne, Sojo, and Dr. O'Neal.
So far 3 of the four have declared their interest in running but Dr. O'Neal have the edge with NDP.
Is this what we are left with to vote for? Putting the cart before the horse? What a joke.
Back awhile I wrote we should vote, None of The Above! I still believe that's the best vote cast island wide. Its a shame this the best we got, how stupid we must appear internationally. That's why Her Majesty continues to dish us out whatever is left in the pot versus giving us a serving right when the pot is full and still stewing.
what in seeing. Virgin Gorda got more fools and idiots than most continents
just look at the voting history.
They prefer to vote for usefullness than progress and still complained.
it's yours, Dont let some Tortola People and Outsiders discourage you from achieving your Goal
You have my VOTE.
Who is sojo? Virgin gorda has some very strong woman!cant they get one or two to run?honestly,dr oneal, this election should be about a fresh prospective,not the same s..t different day mentality .(theres enough s..t flowing in roadtown)!!
too much unfinished business the NDP would not be able too finish in four years thank GOD for fresh breath of air
NO MORE ONEALS!!!
When I come VG I see the same place I met for 30 years!
It wouldn't get no better under Hubert but I would like VG people to name some things Ralph did.
I totally agree with you. The people of North Sound have the answers but no comments are stated yet