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All votes have been tabulated in the Democratic Primary races for the district of St. Croix. When it comes to candidates for the Legislature in that district, the final result turned out to be slightly different from the top seven hopefuls in polling going into Saturday’s voting exercise.
Marise C. James, Novelle E. Francis Jr., Kenneth L. Gittens, Genevieve Whitaker, Ophelia Williams-Jackson, Diane T. Capeheart, and Javan James were the seven candidates who garnered the most votes from electors on St. Croix.
Incumbent Senator Kenneth Gittens earned the most votes, 1693, while Genevieve Whitaker finished in 7th spot with 1185 votes. Senator Javan James was able to secure the 6th position, outperforming his pre-election polling numbers.
Candidate Hubert Frederick finished 8th, however only six votes separated him from Ms. Whitaker as of Saturday night, and with absentee ballots yet to be continued, the results may change.
Of the seven nominees who will now head to the general election seeking to win the favour of the entire voting population, two are brand new to the game - Marise James and Ophelia "Nemmy" Jackson have never before held elective office. Others are seeking a return to political life; Diane Capeheart has served in a previous Legislature. Of course, current members of the 34th Legislature Novelle Francis, Kenneth Gittens, Javan James and Genevieve Whitaker will now be attempting to secure their spot in the 35th Legislature as well.
The seven successful candidates will once again be placed in a pool, this time together with Independent candidates, and voters will select their top seven choices from that expanded cohort in the general election come November 8th.
The Independent and Independent Citizens Movement (ICM) candidates in the St. Croix District are Independents Leonardo Carrion Sr., James P.G. Wakefield, Michael J. Springer, Marilyn T. Hodge, Franklin Johnson, Shalima A. Edwards, Patricia M. James, Julian S. Veira, Samuel Carrion, Devin F. Carrington, and Norman H Jn Baptiste.
In terms of the gubernatorial race, St. Croix voters heavily favored the incumbents, with the Bryan/Roach team securing 3270 votes in contrast with the 1831 votes garnered by the Bernier/Benta ticket. Angel Bolques, candidate for the at-large Senate seat, earned 3002 votes in the district, with Steven Payne Jr. trailing with a final result of 790 votes from St. Croix.
