Positive Nelson Endorses Albert Bryan

ST. CROIX — Outgoing Senator Positive Nelson has endorsed Albert Bryan for governor, making the announcement during a press conference Mr. Nelson held on Friday at his property along Salt River road called Serenity’s Nest.

The senator first spoke of a hearing of his Medicinal Marijuana bill scheduled to be heard on November 27 on St. Croix, encouraging those with interest to attend.

Mr. Nelson then set the stage for his endorsement by assuring Virgin Islanders that contrary to campaign ads, federal dollars would continue flowing into the territory even if a new governor is elected on November 20. And he praised Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett for her efforts on Capitol Hill, noting that while the lauding for the estimated $8 billion set aside for the territory oftentimes goes solely to the governor, it would not have been possible without Ms. Plaskett.

Mr. Nelson eventually cut to the chase and endorsed Mr. Bryan.

“I am here to tell the people of the Virgin Islands, I am here to ask you humbly, I am here to plead with you to go out and vote on November 20 and I’m asking you to join me, I, Positive T.A. Nelson, as I step on board this change. I want to change course, I want things to be different, I want things to be better for my grandchildren, I want to be able to have a hospital that I can go in, I want to be able to drive on decent roads, I want to be able to have decent infrastructure,” he said.

“Let’s change course. Change course does not mean disrupting the recovery effort; our delegate on the Hill has that covered. People of St. Croix, people of St. Thomas, people of St. John, people of Water Island — people of the Virgin Islands — this is important. This is unsolicited. Nobody asked me to do this. I am not a Democrat. I am telling you it is very important that you step out, it is very important that you come forward and it is very important that you change course for a Virgin Islands where integrity and morals are restored. For efficient government, to improve the infrastructure,” the senator added.

The endorsement adds further momentum to the Bryan-Roach team, which came out of the general election with the lead and impetus. While Mr. Nelson’s endorsement was unsolicited, the Bryan-Roach campaign has been courting the unsuccessful gubernatorial candidates as it seeks to show a united front on the idea of changing course, according to a person with intimately knowledge of the efforts.

“Join me as I hop aboard, join me as I jump aboard this change course. I’m asking you to vote this November 20. I, Positive T.A. Nelson, am endorsing the team of Albert Bryan Jr. and Senator Tregenza Roach, my colleague in the Legislature whom I’ve worked with in the past six years,” Mr. Nelson said.

Governor Kenneth Mapp has not announced any endorsements.