Alicia Barnes Is Top Vote-Getter In St. Croix District Democratic Primary Election

ST. CROIX – Voters gave Alicia Barnes the chance to move onto the general elections tonight during the Democratic Primary, where she placed number one overall in the legislative run for St. Croix.

It was 2,579 voters to be exact who decided that Ms. Barnes should have a shot at becoming a first-timer in the 33^rd legislature. The unofficial tally from 26 out of 30 precincts came via the Election System of the Virgin Islands website at 9:28 p.m.

After the results were revealed on Saturday night, she told The Consortium that she joined the race because of what she believes she can offer.

“I feel that [with] my experience, both personal and professional, I would be doing a disservice to my community if I did not step forward to offer myself to serve as a member of the Legislature,” she said.

Ms. Barnes previously served as commissioner for the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources during the John De Jongh administration, the V.I. Energy Office director, and assistant Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Economic Development Authority.

She supports the idea of a part-time senate. This model of senate would allow elected officials meet to make decisions on pertinent measures like approving the fiscal budget or reviewing legislation, but afterward, they’d carry on with their everyday lives and professions.

“Being a senator should not be considered a job or profession,” she said via written statement on her campaign website, “but rather as a position of public service.”

Ms. Barnes has also promised to draft legislation to address troubled and underprivileged youth, general healthcare and mental health issues and economic development.

As for the predicted 2023 collapse of the Government Employees Retirement System, Ms. Barnes supports an audit of the administrative processes to reduce unnecessary expenses. She also believes that borrowing could be an option if the rate of return on investments intended to fund the system is higher than the interest paid on borrowing. Another option, according to Ms. Barnes, is to explore changing legislation to allow employees from the private sector to join the system.

August 5, 2018

This article was last updated at 6:07 a.m.