The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) could see its first woman governor in Congresswoman Stacy E. Plaskett, a Democrat, as she and her running mate- Long Look, Tortola-born Milton E. Potter- are leading at the polls. Photo: Internet Source

Former senator Janelle K. Sarauw won the Democratic nomination for Delegate to Congress on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Photo: VI Consortium

In unofficial results from the USVI, the Plaskett/Potter ticket had 4,493 votes, or 46.99 percent of the 9,561 votes cast in the gubernatorial contest, followed by Tregenza A. Roach/Novelle E. Francis with 3,054 and Donna Frett-Gregory/ Rodney Moorehead with 1,975 votes.

These numbers are for votes cast today only, as the early voting numbers are yet to be added.

Usually, whoever wins the Democratic Primary will win the November General election in a democratic party-dominated USVI.

Delegate to Congress race

In the race for the new Delegate to Congress to take over from Plaskett in January 2027, candidate Janelle K. Sarauw received 4,913 votes, or 53.21 percent of the 9,234 votes recorded in the delegate contest

Delia Smith received 3,007, and Teri Helenese 799. Coming up in the rear was Emmett Hansen with 493. Write-In Totals are 15, and there were 6,616 Total Votes Cast.

Ms Plaskett will face a number of independent candidates in the November 3, 2026, election, which she is expected to beat out.

Local Political Commentator Julian Willock said this is history for the Greater Virgin Islands, and he expects “the long-standing relationship between the VI and USVI born out of our shared history, family ties, culture, traditions, economic ties, and mutual interest will remain even under a new USVI Governor”.