G.O.P. Expels Webster; Bans Him From Upcoming Territorial Convention

ST. CROIX — The Republican Party of the Virgin Islands announced today that it had “expelled” St. Croix Board of Elections Secretary and Republican Glenn Webster, above, following reports that Mr. Webster had insulted fellow board member Lilliana Belardo de O’Neal, during a Joint Board of Elections meeting on Wednesday.

According to the release, Mr. Webster was expelled from the party “for his vulgar and misogynistic comments calling female colleagues a “prostitute,” “retard” and “whore.” Other media outlets reported that Mr. Webster  hurled the word “retard” at St. Thomas Board of Elections member Lydia Hendricks.

The release goes on to say that Mr. Webster was no longer in good standing with the Republican party, which is required by party rules, and added that Mr. Webster will no longer be eligible for renomination at the Republican Territorial Convention, set to be held on June 11.

“The Republican Party repudiates Mr. Webster’s vulgar and misogynistic comments, which are unbecoming of any public servant,” said Virgin Islands G.O.P. chairman John Canegata. “He is no longer a member of the Territorial Committee.”

Mr. Webster disparaged Mrs. de O’Neal Wednesday, following confusion over a vote.

The insults seemingly came from left field, as board members were arguing whether member Hendricks had voted against an amendment to a motion moved by member Adelbert Bryan. Mr. Webster, who usually records vote tally, said Ms. Hendricks did not vote on the motion to amend. For the record, a Consortium reporter did not hear Ms. Hendricks respond even after being called on to vote multiple times by Mr. Webster. However, after the vote tied, Ms. Hendricks insisted that she had voted against the amendment.

The argument became louder as board members began speaking out of turn, with no clear understanding of who was saying what. Suddenly, Mr. Webster called Mrs. Belardo de O’Neal a “whore.” He had previously called Ms. Hendricks a “liar,” to which Ms. Hendricks threatened to call him names as well — which she surmised he would not be able to handle. A five-minute recess was called.

Mrs. de O’neal, tired of Mr. Webster’s insults, suggested that he should be disciplined. Mr. Webster dug deeper, fetching another insult and calling Mrs. de O’Neal a “prostitute.”

Ms. Hendricks later motioned that the board suspend Mr. Webster after she requested a verbal or written apology from Mr. Webster, who refused.

The board suspended Mr. Webster from the next two Joint Board meetings.

Of the board members present yesterday, all the women and two men — Board Chairman Arturo Watlington (whose initial vote was against the suspension) and Raymond Williams — voting to suspend Mr. Webster. Mr. Bryan and Mr. Webster voted against the suspension, while board members Roland Moolenar and Lawrence Boschulte abstained.

Image Credit: VIC.