Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, Honourable Julian Fraser, RA (R3) has hit back at critics who believe he is too old for politics. Photo: GIS

Former Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA), Julian Willock,  Aaron F. Parillon, and Mr Rajah A. Smith are all eyeing the seat but said they would not go up if Honourable Julian Fraser is going up. Photo: Facebook

Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, Honourable Julian Fraser, RA, addressed his critics at an event in Fish Bay on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Photo: Facebook

Recently, local contractor Mr Rajah A. Smith expressed his willingness to run for the District 3 seat in the next general elections, but only if the current representative, Hon Julian Fraser, RA, decides not to seek re-election. 

Speaking at a Fish and Chat event hosted by Mr Smith on Wednesday night, June 10, in Sea Cows Bay, the 75-year-old Honourable Fraser told residents of the Third District, "it ain't over until the fat lady sings — and she hasn't sung yet."

He emphasised that he is actively involved in many initiatives aimed at advancing the Virgin Islands, indicating that while his time to exit politics is not inevitable there must be someone capable of taking the baton.

“So when people walk around and talk about Fraser is old, Fraser needs to step aside, okay, he is old, and he needs to step aside, but if I step aside, are you ready to step in? Or are you going to step in and just be somebody to make up a number?”

The veteran legislator made it clear that he is not in politics to merely occupy a seat.

'It ain't over until the fat lady sings.'- Hon Fraser 

Hon Fraser acknowledged, “Of course, all good things do come to an end and at some point, whereas tonight, tomorrow morning, or whatever it is, next month, my run will come to an end.” 

He reminded the residents that his plans for the district and the Virgin Islands are not yet complete, stating, “But we have some big pictures that I'm looking at, that we gotta clean up, we gotta fix and until I say, until, what did they say? It ain't over until the fat lady sings.” 

Former Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA), Julian Willock, has also announced his interest in running for District 3 if Hon Fraser chooses not to seek re-election. However, Willock has made it clear that he is part of Team Fraser. 

Meanwhile, Aaron F. Parillon has been eyeing the District 3 seat as a member of the National Democratic Party (NDP). He contested the 2019 and 2023 general elections on the NDP ticket, losing to Hon Fraser, who has represented the district since 1999.