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Trump wins USVI Caucus, leading 2024 Republican Nomination Race

Former President Donald J. Trump captured the majority vote in the Virgin Islands caucus on Thursday, February 8, 2024, securing the territory's delegates for the 2024 Republican National Convention. Photo: VIC
VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- In a decisive victory, former President Donald J. Trump captured the majority vote in the Virgin Islands caucus on Thursday, February 8, 2024, securing the territory's delegates for the 2024 Republican National Convention. The caucus was the third in all of the US, using ranked-choice voting.

Gordon Ackley, chairman of the Republican Party in the Virgin Islands, highlighted the importance of the caucus, stating, “Based on the results, the Virgin Islands has put Trump on track to become the presumptive Republican nominee.” Trump garnered 73.98 percent of the vote, outpacing former Ambassador N. Nikki Haley, who received 26.02 percent. Other candidates on the ballot included former Governor Chris Christie, Governor Ronald D. DeSantis, businessman Perry Johnson, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

The ranked-choice voting system allowed voters to rank candidates, ensuring their vote counted towards a backup choice if their first choice withdrew. Notably, US Senator Tim Scott and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum had withdrawn after qualifying for the ballot.

USVI to send 9 delegates to national convention

The [US] Virgin Islands is set to send nine delegates and six alternates to the national convention.

The caucus saw active competition among candidates, with Haley, Trump, and DeSantis making efforts to engage Virgin Islands voters. The Jeffrey E. Epstein scandal's local impact on the presidential campaign was noted, with DeSantis visiting St. Thomas and sending surrogates to the islands. Haley focused on equality for US territories and voting rights during her virtual appearances, while Trump’s campaign featured prominent supporters and discussions on key issues.

The caucus took place across all three islands, with voting precincts at notable locations such as the La Reine Chicken Shack on St Croix and Bluebeard’s Castle on St Thomas.

In internal Republican party elections, April Newland was elected as the national committeewoman, defeating Antoinette Gumbs-Hecht. John Yob secured the national committeeman position unopposed.

The evening also celebrated St. Thomas Republican Fred Vialet Jr. with the RNC Frederick Douglass Award, recognizing his lifetime of service and contributions to the Republican Party. RNC chairman Ronna McDaniel commended Vialet for his dedication and efforts to expand the party's presence in the Virgin Islands and beyond.

21 Responses to “Trump wins USVI Caucus, leading 2024 Republican Nomination Race”

  • GateKeeper (11/02/2024, 13:51) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    This whole situation is rife with hypocrisy and is as hosed up as Hogan’s goat; it is a SNAFU, FuBar ting. Residents of the USVI cannot vote for president from the USVI; though if they are residing on the mainland, they can register to vote and vote. Nonetheless, USVI residents can partake in the presidential primaries to apparently pad the delegates total of candidates. By the way, did Trump or Haley come to the USVI to campaign? Hell no. The bottomline is that USVI residents are not entitled to the full rights and privileges afforded by the constitution, ie, voting for President, SSI don’t apply, etc. Nonetheless , the President can send USVI residents into battle to preserve, and fight for rights and freedom. Per the Insular Cases, a series of SCOTUS cases in the early 1900 regarding territories, which noted that the territories belonged to the US ( that family thing the UK keeping pushing about its OTs) but are not part of the US. Normally, being a territory was a precursor to statehood, except it seems if the territory (s) lie outside side of Conus; Alaska and Hawaii being the exceptions. The insular cases are still active and have not been rescinded by SCOTUS.
    • @GateKeeper (11/02/2024, 17:07) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      To GateKeeper, USVI residents are being treated as second class US citizens, noting getting the full rights and privileges afforded by the constitution. Our Delegate Plaskett to Congress don’t have the same rights as other House of Representatives members. For example, the Delegate cannot vote on bills brought to the floor. Our inability to vote for President has something to do with the anachronistic Electoral College which consists of 100 senators, 435 house members, and 3 members for DC for a total of 538 Electoral College votes. Special provision was made for DC which is not a state so why can’t accommodations be made through a constitutional amendment to include Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas and USVI? The territories serve their purposes so there is no use for them. What are the self-determination options for the USVI, ie, integration, free association….?
  • don (11/02/2024, 14:02) Like (25) Dislike (15) Reply
    Tump is bad news for the Virgin Islands
  • Andrew Faie Hopes (11/02/2024, 14:28) Like (22) Dislike (19) Reply
    Things looking good for Head Coach. They trying everything to stop Trump, the only way to stop him from winning is to get him off the ballet in key states and they are trying but they will fail...Trump will win the US presidency in Jan 2025. He may consider pardoning Head coach..
    • crazy (11/02/2024, 17:34) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
      You're actually insane if you think any republican president will pardon a black head of state for drug smuggling. Do you think Mr. Mexico Wall would really help a guy who thought he was working with a Mexican Cartel? Andrew Fahie supporters live in a world without logic.
      • Disinterested (11/02/2024, 20:21) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
        Conservatism/Republicanism is not compatible with Black interests. As GateKeeper noted, Conservatism is about conserving and keeping things the way they are. They are originalists and wants to keep the constitution the way it was designed in the 28th Century. Moreover,, having amassed all the wealth, resources, power, etc, they put the structures in place to protect their advantageous position; the Supreme Court and other courts were/are instrumental in protecting the advantage of whites. For Black conservatives to be accepted in the role they must go to the extreme, marginalizing their race and themselves, ie, the nauseating Senator Tim Scott.
        • Disinterested (12/02/2024, 09:46) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
          My bad, the Conservatives/Republicans are that forward looking, for they originalists/textilists, wanting to rule with 18th Century in the 21st Century. My noting the 28th Century was inadvertent and should have read 18th Century. For example, the We in We the people didn’t include Blacks/slaves, for they shamelessly didn’t view Blacks as human beings, equating them to field animals whose role was servile’ ie, creating wealth for the supposed upperclass and providing for their comfort. Let’s not forget about the 3/5 Missouri Compromise where Blacks were not a whole person. Have you ever seen a 3/5 person. This discussion is about Jim Crow in the US; nevertheless, John Bull in the UK played the same role or worst.
      • Outsider (12/02/2024, 11:28) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
        There's never been a head of state from the Virgin Islands (black, white or otherwise). It's never been a state. It chooses to remain a dependency.
    • smh (12/02/2024, 09:05) Like (2) Dislike (13) Reply
      And he will be the first ever Commander in Charge to be led out the White House doors in handcuffs and mask of total disgrace will be worn by all those supporting his higher than thou treacherous and demeaning behavior.
  • Xxx (11/02/2024, 15:28) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    Free the drew
  • Ah biunch ah @$$hol#$ (11/02/2024, 15:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    From a $h!t#0le country
  • This is Sad (11/02/2024, 17:52) Like (14) Dislike (11) Reply
    Who in their right mind would even think of putting a X next to this man’s name?? WHO?? All the craziness he has already caused. This man is so stupid, he said he met the President of the USVI when he was president, not knowing he was the president, or know the USVI is American territory. He will become a dictator, and suspends the US constitution. He will support Russia to attack NATO, and cause WW3. We better realize who we really dealing with. The good news is, he WILL NOT WIN IN 2024.
    • Yes (11/02/2024, 21:40) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
      Yes he will , pedo , DEMENTIA riddled Joe cant remember if he is president or not and thinks the leader of Egypt is from Mexico. God helps us, TRUMP 2024.
      • yes, and? (12/02/2024, 09:28) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
        And Trump thinks the leader of Hungary is the leader of Turkey, just this past weekend. You concerned about that too? Or is it selective?
    • nike (11/02/2024, 21:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just do it
    • @This is sad (12/02/2024, 10:20) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      List some of the craziness he has caused. CNN got y’all properly brainwashed lol
  • rock city (12/02/2024, 08:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wait for the toilet paper to be thrown at the usvi residents
  • resident (12/02/2024, 08:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    make the bvi great again


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