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‘Past defeat does not disqualify you’ - Rajah A. Smith on running again

Mr Rajah A. Smith who left the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) after running on their 2015 slate in District 2 and is running again as an At-Large Candidate, says defeat does not disqualify one from running. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Smith, an Indigenous Virgin Islander was part of a three-man race for D2 in 2015, however, he lost when he secured just 25 votes as a VIP candidate. Photo: Team of Reporters
Mr Smith, an Indigenous Virgin Islander was part of a three-man race for D2 in 2015, however, he lost when he secured just 25 votes as a VIP candidate. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Mr Rajah A. Smith who left the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) after running on their 2015 slate in District 2 and is running again as an Independent At-Large Candidate, says defeat does not disqualify one from running again.

Mr Smith, an Indigenous Virgin Islander was part of a three-man race for D2 in 2015, however, he lost when he secured less thatn 30 votes as a VIP candidate.

The winner was the National Democratic Party’s (NDP 1) Hon. Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) aka ‘Mitch’ receiving some 600 votes.  The other candidate in the race was Elford W. Parsons who obtained 290 votes under the now defunct, People’s Empowerment Party (PEP).

This is a democracy – Smith

“This is a democratic country and I would love to see more young people step up to the plate, put your name on a ballot,” he said on “Hard Talk” a show on Tola Radio VI last Thursday, January 24, 2019.

In encouraging youths to take up the challenge, he said don’t be afraid to try, “it’s better to prepare for the opportunity and not have one, that to have an opportunity and not be prepared.”

“I’m not in this for wins and losses, I’m here to try to represent the people of the Virgin Islands” he said, “I think that our territory really lost its way and I’m giving people a choice,” he told the listening audience.

VIP in the Past

When questioned by host Julio S. Henry on how many votes he got in the past, Mr Smith remarked, “[it is] a crowded field, the people of the Virgin Islands have an option.”

“I’m not going to stay here and bash the Virgin Islands Party, I wish them well… just as well, but the situation with that is a little more in-depth… yes, I get 28 votes,” he said, however, records show it was infact 25 votes.

“What you [are] saying to me is that because I failed, or I didn’t succeed I shouldn’t move forward… defeat does not disqualify you… so here I am again,” Mr Smith said in lashing back.  

 

 

11 Responses to “‘Past defeat does not disqualify you’ - Rajah A. Smith on running again ”

  • ABC (27/01/2019, 15:45) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    Waste of time
  • smh (27/01/2019, 19:59) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    Rajah, you weren't defeated, you were obliterated.
  • chad (27/01/2019, 20:16) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr Smith don't go waste your $1000 dollars save it for r rainy days
  • Anonymous (27/01/2019, 22:11) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    THIS MAN WILL NOT EVEN GET HIS MONEY BACK
  • me again (27/01/2019, 22:22) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lets see if he will cough up the $1000.00 pn Nonimation day
  • facts (28/01/2019, 05:38) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    He has bright furture but not in politics
  • fat boy (28/01/2019, 10:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    you ain’t disqualified inuh, just not in political aspirations, yuh boy fraysa still got more left in him don’t give up tho
  • Huh? (30/01/2019, 15:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can you represent the BVI on an international level? I've personally seen you out and about and for you to represent me and my country on an international level, ill take my chances on whos already proven themselves of accomplishing things on that platform.


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