Mr Rajah A. Smith has said he is willing to run in District 3 for the next general election only if current representative Hon Julian Fraser, RA, decides not to run for re-election. Photo: YouTube

Hon Julian Fraser, RA, has represented the Third District since 1999. He is currently serving in the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government as Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Former Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA), Julian Willock (left), and Aaron F. Parillon have been eyeing the District 3 seat. Photo: Facebook

On The Big Story on JTV Channel 55 with host Cathy O. Richards, Mr Smith made his intentions known. 

“A group of people within our community, the Third District, has approached me about running for the district if our representative, the Hon Julian Fraser, decides not to run.”

Smith said he and other residents of District 3 met and decided to inform people of his possible run for district representative at an event dubbed ‘Fish Talk’. “It was more like a social gathering; you could come, grab a fish, chill and talk. It’s not so much of a political event; it’s more of a social event.”

100% Team Fraser

Though making his intentions for possible entry into the political arena public, Smith added, “I’m a hundred percent Team Fraser.”

He clarified that he will not contest the District 3 seat if Hon Fraser is on the ballot. “I’m one hundred per cent Team Fraser,” he reiterated, “If he’s not on the ballot, I think I would be; there’s a concession that I might be or would be if he’s not on the ballot.”

Smith said the majority of District 3 residents support Fraser for another term. “I think for me and a lot of people, he’s making a case for re-election of why we should even re-elect him one more time.”

He noted infrastructural work being done on the district’s road and water networks and the removal of derelict vessels. “So, in my opinion, I think he’s making a case of why we should give him a next turn, and to me, he’s doing a pretty good job.”

Fraser has the final say

Smith said conversations are ongoing with Hon Fraser but added that the decision ultimately lies with him. “If he feels he needs to step aside, but the people that support him are in no position to say come off the scene because, like I said myself and several others are 100 per cent behind our representative, even though there are conversations that are being had and stuff like that.”

He said no one in District 3 is “trying to force” Fraser out, adding that there are many people who are encouraging him to do another term, saying, “I’m one of those people.”

Smith said, ultimately, if Hon Fraser does decide not to run for re-election and he is given the chance, he will finish the job Fraser started, saying that he has laid the framework. 

Willock & Parillon eyeing D3

Former Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA), Julian Willock, has also come out to say he is willing to run for District 3 if Hon Fraser is not up for re-election. Willock has also clarified that he is 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 Fraser, who has represented the district since 1999. 

Hon Fraser, 75, is currently serving in the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government as Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.