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‘My people are ready for me again!’ Mark H. Vanterpool to contest D4 seat under PLM

- said he is confident of re-entering politics & being elected
Businessman and former legislator Mark H. Vanterpool has disclosed he will be contesting for electoral office in the Fourth District under the People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) at the 2027 general elections of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
Businessman Mark H. Vanterpool said the people will decide who are the other candidates of the People’s Labour Movement (PLM) and that it will become a party eventually. Photo: VINO
Businessman Mark H. Vanterpool said the people will decide who are the other candidates of the People’s Labour Movement (PLM) and that it will become a party eventually. Photo: VINO
The incumbent Fourth District Representative is Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith, who is also the Jr Minister for Culture and Tourism with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government. Photo: Facebook
The incumbent Fourth District Representative is Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith, who is also the Jr Minister for Culture and Tourism with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Businessman and former legislator Mark H. Vanterpool has disclosed he will be contesting for electoral office in the Fourth District under the People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) at the 2027 general elections of the Virgin Islands.

Speaking to reporters after addressing more than 50 residents of the Fourth District at Pussers Pub on May 13, 2026, Mr Vanterpool said he was “very confident” of re-entering the House of Assembly (HoA).

“I have served my people for 25 years, and they are ready for me again. Easily. Ready for me again.”

The incumbent Fourth District Representative is Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith, who is also the Jr Minister for Culture and Tourism with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government.

Hon Vanterpool said he had nothing to say about Hon Hodge-Smith but that he was “going to represent my people of the Fourth District, and I will tell them why I am better to represent them.”

‘I am a good preacher’

Asked if he would serve out his term if he was elected in the Fourth District but ended up on the Opposition, Hon Vanterpool promised he would. “I will be preaching from the Opposition bench. I am a good preacher, so prepare for it. If I get in the House there, you will hear about me every day.

Regarding the PLM, Vanterpool said the people will decide who are the other candidates and that it will become a party eventually. “We are building a movement from the grassroots up that more than likely will eventually become what we call a party in the country.”

‘Absolutely not’ with NDP

According to Mr Vanterpool, the people need to unite behind a leader who has the vision, courage, willingness and strength to unite the people of the Virgin Islands, instead of dividing them.

He also ruled out any possibility of a future with the National Democratic Party (NDP) under its Chairman Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8).

“Absolutely not,” Vanterpool exclaimed.

Our News Centre first and accurately reported that Mr Vanterpool was coming with his own party after losing a bid for chairman of the NDP.

See related article below:

The Mark H. Vanterpoool-led PLM to have first event today!

NDP snubbed? Mark H. Vanterpool to bring his own party for 2027 elections!

35 Responses to “‘My people are ready for me again!’ Mark H. Vanterpool to contest D4 seat under PLM”

  • hmm (14/05/2026, 07:58) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
    Marlon is a joke claiming he is with NDP when the man has made it clear hes not. I guest one of them from the family has to be in Politics.
    • Newsflash !! (14/05/2026, 09:15) Like (19) Dislike (25) Reply
      Now you will have 2 because Hon.Lorna getting back in and we wit Uncle mark all the way.
  • DOA (14/05/2026, 08:08) Like (50) Dislike (53) Reply
    “I have served my people for 25 years, and they are ready for me again. Easily. Ready for me again.” - the people of the BVI better think long and hard before providing this man any kind of political power
    • Well (14/05/2026, 15:26) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
      If Andrew return back in tomorrow; the 1st is his- mark own the 4th Frazer own the 3rd- you did.not know- now you know!
  • Observer (14/05/2026, 08:25) Like (17) Dislike (26) Reply
    Absolutely not? Take that with a grain of salt.
    • Observer (14/05/2026, 15:24) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply

      Put your money where your mouth is- it's going to be an @#$ whipping in the 4th!

  • smh (14/05/2026, 08:36) Like (44) Dislike (50) Reply
    “I have served my people for 25 years, and they are ready for me again. Easily. Ready for me again.” Who are your people? The Fonseca boys? Smh
    • Blind Man (14/05/2026, 12:34) Like (26) Dislike (33) Reply
      The Fonseca boys and Jay can't get you across the finish line this time everyone knows that they were piggy of you when you were in government and you talking about the people in the ghetto all they want is hand outs a bottle of rum and a few beer with a hundred dollars bill and they bought. The people with common sense will stick to the VIP the people are woke
    • The blick (15/05/2026, 08:28) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
      Yes we ready for him and you can get in the race to
    • @SMH (16/05/2026, 05:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You will see who they are in dew time!
  • Never (14/05/2026, 08:48) Like (17) Dislike (15) Reply
    ever ever again
  • BuzzBvi (14/05/2026, 08:52) Like (34) Dislike (40) Reply
    You want people to vote for you so you can immediately resign, like the disrespect you showed them last time.

    You think VI people are fools.

    Elitist, self serving entitled leaders is exactly what we don't need.
  • NO Mark, NO! (14/05/2026, 09:07) Like (36) Dislike (42) Reply
    He has served himself and fooled the people for 25 years! The worst thing we did was to grandfather the man into anything. He went from empty store shelves to a jackpot by selling us out to the cruise industry. Now he wants to continue enriching himself, people don't be fooled again by Grasshopper, jumping to whatever side of the floor that promotes his and his family interests. Stop selling us out!
  • asura (14/05/2026, 09:21) Like (45) Dislike (25) Reply
    Poor Luce she will be a one termer
  • %100 raise (14/05/2026, 09:31) Like (25) Dislike (9) Reply
    The Action Man start to work already. We need to hear from Myron and Ronnie now. we couldn't vote for y'all in NDP knowing that the M&M politicians will become Premeir and deputy.
  • Raw and Unfiltered (14/05/2026, 10:09) Like (14) Dislike (13) Reply
    Is Hon Luce Hodge Smith on the loose goose in danger?? Seriously, this is a serious issue with people’s quality of life, standards of living, per capita income on the line. The people interest, not self-interest m, is of foremost interest. In 2019, the resident of D-4 elected someone to represent them in the HoA but a minute later they got bored and disinterested and tried to resign. For 4 years, unable to resign, they went through the term in slow motion. Is D-4 owned by anyone who feels he/she can go and come at will when it suits them. Is PLM a party and if no, why is the former D-4 rep declared candidacy under its banner.? Can candidates be at honest with the people at least on simple things? The BVI is at a crossroad, needing serious candidates to lead it on the right path, who will put public interest first, not self-interest. Voters need to say no to candidates who are in the game for self-interest, ie, status, power, looking to build personal legacy, etc. It is okay to accumulate wealth and riches. But wealth is not an entitlement over other issues to desire the top national job. The territory must elect the right members, leaders for the right reason, to chose and do the right jib, etc, ie, national public interest.
  • Roadtownrebel (14/05/2026, 10:40) Like (9) Dislike (11) Reply

    If Mark come in the 4th district st**e his @#$. seize the time

  • Samanta (14/05/2026, 12:11) Like (4) Dislike (19) Reply
    If our elected officials have the country first mandate they would go to the house of assembly and pass a bill mandating any political party from here forward can only be of indigenous persons period. Proposed amendments to the length of term of office from 4 to 5 years means after 2027 the next election will be 2032.
  • Real (14/05/2026, 13:09) Like (23) Dislike (24) Reply
    I REALLY THINK BVI PEOPLE AINT GOOD IN THEM HEAD IF HE GET BACK IN YALL TAKE WHAT YALL GET
    LET HIM GO SIT HIS GREEDY BACKSIDE DOWN LIKE U WANT OWN THE COUNTRY BY YOURSELF TALKING PISS
  • Nationhood (14/05/2026, 14:05) Like (17) Dislike (22) Reply
    The people should NEVER elect someone who resigned from office when he was elected the last time. And may God prevent all the buy out santos this time from reaching the poles - they don't care about our country. LUCE HODGE ALL THE WAY...
  • sorry (14/05/2026, 19:07) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    Neither Mark nor Luce should be elected for the Fourth, sorry. Mark had no energy for politics when he left the last time. He resigned and never even showed up to assist the people of his District. So why would the clique on Fonseca Corner or whoever else drag him back? He has been investing big time in his business endeavours and spreading into every District, VG being his latest. What time does he have to be a public servant? What is his reason for this decision to run again? More in the mortar than the pestle. Everything will come to light. Reveal it, Jesus. Reveal it.
  • Here is what I think (14/05/2026, 22:01) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Luce girl, Mark step in, your dog is dead on arrival. Just something to seriously think about girl.
  • Peter Cock (15/05/2026, 06:17) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
    @ well. Mark own my @$$.
  • Native Tongue (16/05/2026, 08:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have zero respect for Mark Vanterpool politically. Support Luce Hodge-Smith. Don't be shy about this.


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