Supporters of Kurt Vialet gather at the Bypass intersection near the Canegata Recreational Center, one of three locations where today's voting took place. Photo Credit: ERNICE GILBERT, V.I. CONSORTIUM
The results of the 2024 Democratic primary election in the U.S. Virgin Islands have been announced, with outcomes for the Senate, Board of Education, and Board of Elections.
According to the Election System of the Virgin Islands, with 100 percent of results reported, the top seven candidates in the St. Croix District Senate race include Kurt A. Vialet, who led with 1,233 votes (13.41%), followed by Clifford A. Joseph with 1,023 votes (11.13%), Novelle E. Francis Jr. with 939 votes (10.21%), Kenneth Kenny Gittens with 929 votes (10.10%), Hubert L. Frederick with 838 votes (9.11%), Diane T. Capehart with 820 votes (8.92%), and Marise C. James with 762 votes (8.29%).
[Voting results, according to the Election System of the USVI]
Candidates who did not advance included former Senator Nereida O'Reilly with 684 votes (7.44%) and Attorney Russell Pate with 655 votes (7.12%). Genevieve Whitaker, Michael J. Springer Jr., and Justin Curtis Smith received 536 votes (5.83%), 525 votes (5.71%), and 190 votes (2.07%) respectively. There were 61 write-in votes, totaling 0.66%.
Due to only seven Democrats running for Senate in St. Thomas, which matches the number of candidates accepted as part of the primary election, there was no Democratic primary election in St. Thomas.
For the Board of Education in the St. Thomas-St. John District, Kyza A. Callwood led with 311 votes (43.62%), followed by Nandi Sékou with 290 votes (40.67%), and Bruce C. Flamon with 107 votes (15.01%). There were five write-in votes, making up 0.70% of the total.
According to Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes, there are only two Democratic candidates for the Board of Education on St. Croix, which matches the number of available vacancies. These candidates will compete with other candidates in the general election in November.
In the Board of Elections race for St. Croix, C. Jason JnBaptiste secured 434 votes (38.75%), Simone James received 361 votes (32.23%), and A. Mardenborough Jr. had 313 votes (27.95%). There were 12 write-in votes, accounting for 1.07%.
For the Board of Elections in the St. Thomas-St. John District, Larence Lary Boschulte led with 233 votes (33.05%), followed by Angeli Leerdam with 197 votes (27.94%) and Chaneel M. Callwood with 196 votes (27.80%). Ida-Mae F. Brown received 72 votes (10.21%), and there were seven write-in votes, totaling 0.99%.
The Board of Elections will canvass the absentee ballots in both the St. Croix and the St. Thomas-St. John Districts on Monday, August 5, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. and Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The media, candidates, and the public are invited to view the process.
Office locations for the canvassing are as follows:
- St. Croix Elections Office: Sunny Isles Shopping Center Unit 26
- St. Thomas Elections Office: Lockhart Gardens (Upstairs Banco Popular)
For any questions or concerns, voters can contact the Elections offices at 340-773-1021 (St. Croix Elections Office) or 340-774-3107 (St. Thomas Elections Office).
