The Democratic Party has issued a response to Governor de Jongh’s pardoning of Senator Alicia ‘Chucky’ Hansen, calling the decision “untimely” and “somewhat premature.”
Released by the State Chair of the Virgin Islands Democratic Party, Cecil Benjamin, the statement was also an effort to distance the Democratic Party from Governor de Jongh.
As you know there have been much attention and concern relative to the court’s decision and Senator Hansen’s case, and the subsequent pardon from Governor John P. de Jongh. As you know, the court, in its deliberation and wisdom, has rendered a decision which we must all honor and respect. Right is right and wrong is wrong.
The governor of the Virgin Islands has issued a pardon on the basis of what the attorney general assumed that is the governor’s privilege and authority on this matter. But all of this has nothing to do with the leadership, management and operation of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands. This is not the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands decision, however we feel that the governor’s action prior to the election was untimely and somewhat premature because the Joint Board of Elections will meet today with the court’s decision. So it makes sense that we await the board’s action.
Benjamin also said that the Democratic party has been seeking legal advise on how to deal with the issue because it was full of “legal complications and technicalities,” and because it had “far-reaching” consequences.
Tags: virgin islands democratic party
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