Election

Bolques Overwhelmingly Wins At-Large Senatorial Race Against Steven Payne

Angel Bolques Jr has been selected as the Senator-at-Large candidate to represent the Virgin Islands Democratic Party in the November 8th general elections, where he will face Senator-at-Large candidate and new political entrant Sherry-Ann Francis. The former educator won by a margin of 3546 votes territory-wide against 1010 for Steven Payne Sr, who Bolques replaced in the 34th legislature. Bolques is currently serving out the remainder of Payne's term until January 9, 2023. Bolques’ victory is yet another blow to Payne, whose senatorship ended on July 20th when his 14 colleagues voted to expel him from the legislature over allegations of sexual misconduct – a matter he is now challenging in court. The expulsion of Steven Payne Sr follows exclusive reporting from the V.I. Consortium which prompted the Senate to launch an investigation after a staffer in Payne’s office accused him of sexual harassment. The senator was already being investigated by the Senate Committee on Ethical C...