Senator Ted Cruz on St. Croix at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on Fri. Jan. 13, 2023. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM
Update: Along with his other priorities while on St. Croix, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz — who arrived on St. Croix on Jan. 13 — will meet with Governor Albert Bryan on Sunday, Jan. 15, the Consortium has learned. The content of their meeting isn't known, though the senator is visiting the island for a fundraiser event with local multimillionaire David Johnson, and has requested a tour of the oil refinery on St. Croix's south shore. Governor Bryan has been consistent in his desire to see the refinery, which has historically been one of the strongest economic drivers in the USVI, reopen after being shut down in May 2021 by the EPA.
Original Story: Republican Senator Ted Cruz arrived on St. Croix on Friday, the Consortium can confirm, after being spotted at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport deboarding an American Airlines flight.
The reason for the U.S. senator's visit to the island was not announced by his office, however, he is expected to participate in a campaign fundraiser event being organized by local millionaire and Republican David Johnson, co-owner of Cane Bay VI.
Mr. Cruz has also requested to tour the oil refinery on St. Croix's south shore, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
The facility has been idled since May 2021 following a large flare incident that sent plumes of smoke mixed with oil particles billowing west of St. Croix. The refinery has since been sold through an auction to Port Hamilton Refinery and Transportation, which has been taking steps to safely reopen — an effort that is supported by Governor Albert Bryan, who has spoken about the economic impact of the facility to St. Croix and the government's own coffers.
Even while on St. Croix, Mr. Cruz is keeping his engagement with mainland politics alive. Ten hours ago, he assailed Democrats for the developing story around classified documents found at President Joe Biden's garage and at the Penn Biden Center for Global Diplomacy and Engagement.
"Karma. Dems have been grandstanding and ridiculing Trump for having classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Now it's been discovered that Joe had classified documents at the Penn Center, next to his Corvette, and in the room next to his garage," he said.
Former U.S. attorney during the Trump administration, Robert Hur, was named as special counsel to examine why classified documents were found at Mr. Biden’s home and office, a move that intensifies scrutiny of the president's actions after he left the vice presidency in 2017.
