Bishop John I. Cline has emphasised that running for political office in the Virgin Islands is “not a game.” Cline addressed concerns raised during a live Facebook session on April 23, 2026. Photo: Facebook

During the party's special convention held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, Mr. Mark H. Vanterpool contested the Chairmanship of the NDP but was defeated in a landslide vote by Hon. Marlon A. Penn (R8), receiving 29 votes compared to Mr. Penn’s 65. Photo: VINO/ File

Bishop John I. Cline, the former interim president stated that the party seeks individuals who are serious about representing the country. “The country is not a game. The politics of the Virgin Islands is not a game. This is serious. This is us seriously looking for men and women who can represent these virgin islands at home, regionally and abroad.” Photo: VINO/File

Cline addressed concerns raised during a live Facebook session on April 23, 2026. He stated that the party seeks individuals who are serious about representing the country. “The country is not a game. The politics of the Virgin Islands is not a game. This is serious. This is us seriously looking for men and women who can represent these Virgin Islands at home, regionally, and abroad," he said.

Cline further asserted that the party is not interested in individuals who are seeking personal ambitions or use the party for their own gain. “We are very serious about this country and what we want, how we want to see it run, how we want to see it govern. That is what the NDP is about!" he exclaimed.

'Could not stop Mark Vanterpool'

The former interim president criticised those who enter the party believing they are entitled to the top position. “For some to come in, after they've left the party, thinking that they're entitled to the top spot, and if they don't get it, then pack up their marbles and pout, and go home. I don't, I don't see people like that running this country. That's totally irresponsible.”

However, he stated that Mark H. Vanterpool could not be prevented from running for any position within the party because he is a member of the National Democratic Party (NDP). “We could not stop Honourable Mark Vanterpool from coming back into the party. He's a member of the [National] Democratic Party. We could not stop him from putting up his name to run and having been nominated to run for the top chair. We could not stop that,” Cline explained.

He indicated that Mr Vanterpool has never resigned from the party, so it is his right to run, but winning is not guaranteed. Cline emphasised that this is a democratic process, stating, “It went through 121 persons [who] got in a room Saturday night to elect the leaders of the National Democratic Party, and that is what happened.”

See related article below:

‘The party is not breaking up; We just have one rogue member’- John I. Cline