Feb. 12, 2008 — The territory's enthusiastic support for Barack Obama's presidential campaign is a positive political development, Gov. John deJongh Jr. said Tuesday.
The governor said he is "very pleased with the overwhelming support" V.I. Democrats showed over weekend when they elected the Illinois senator as their choice for the Democratic nomination, according to a Government House news release.
"With their overwhelming support for Sen. Obama, the voters of the territory have sent a clear message about who they want to receive the Democratic Party nomination," deJongh said. "There was much interest and enthusiasm on display at the caucuses, where we saw record numbers in voter turnout this weekend. This shows a renewed interested in the national political process and is wonderful for the political process here in the territory."
DeJongh also congratulated the six delegates elected to represent the party at the Democratic National Convention in Denver: Arah Lockhart, Sen. Shawn Michael-Malone, Sebastiano Paiewonsky-Cassinelli, Shawna Richards, Marise James and Robert Rios. These individuals will be the voices of the Virgin Islands, who will collectively pledge their votes for an Obama nomination.
The momentum for Obama's candidacy has grown since the Nov. 5 fund-raising event on St. Thomas, deJongh said. The governor's comments came before Obama swept primaries Tuesday in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
"Sen. Obama brought his platform to the territory and his candidacy has been warmly embraced," the governor said. "I am pleased at the momentum that has been steadily building for his candidacy, which I am proud to have endorsed."
The governor also praised the work of his wife, Cecile, on Obama's campaign trail. The territory's first lady has traveled to South Carolina and most recently, to Massachusetts, to campaign for Obama.
"Cecile has been asked, as I have been asked, to continue our campaigning for Obama, and we will do so as our schedules allow," deJongh said.
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