The Virgin Islands Democratic Party yesterday selected their delegation to the Democratic National Convention which will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, this September. The delegates elected on Sunday join the party’s six super delegates, who will cast the territory’s Democratic ballots to re-nominate the team of President Barack H. Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden as the Democratic Party’s nominees for the presidency and vice presidency of the nation.
The Virgin Islands’ Democratic super delegates who will attend the DNC Convention automatically by virtue of their positions are Gov. John P. deJongh Jr, Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen, Virgin Islands State Chairman Emmett Hansen II, Vice-Chairwoman Delores Thomas, National Committeewoman Carol M. Burke and National Committeeman Glen Smith.
With the election of the seven delegates, the Virgin Islands will have a full delegation complement of 13. The Virgin Islands Democratic Party was awarded an extra delegate due to State Chairman Emmett Hansen’s negotiation with the Democratic National Committee to coordinate the V.I. caucus date with that of neighboring Puerto Rico.
St. Croix was afforded four delegates – two men and two women. Those elected on Sunday are: Carolyn M. Burke – 162 votes, Florine Audain Hassell – 151 votes, Robert Rios – 128 votes and Dean Andrews – 137 votes. The unsuccessful candidates for the delegate positions were May Adams Cornwall – 107, Emile Henderson III – 107 and write in candidate Cecil R. Benjamin – 89 votes.
St. Thomas was afforded three delegates – two women and one man. Those elected Sunday are: Pamela Richards Samuel – 122 votes, Colette Conroy Monroe – 43 votes and Edgar “Baker” Phillips – 95 votes. The unsuccessful candidates for the delegate positions were Iris Kern – 23 votes, Marc Stridiron – 43 votes and Robert Boschulte Sr. — 7 votes.
The delegation’s certification will be forwarded to the Democratic National Committee by State Chairman Hansen. The entire delegation will begin the work of preparing the Virgin Islands platform which will be offered to be a part of the Democratic National Committee’s platform for this year’s convention. The delegation must also select a delegation chair, an alternate and a page.
“Despite a number of challenges and difficulties both locally and nationally, we have been able to conduct an extremely successful and competitive caucus for our DNC delegates,” Hansen said.
“I am exceptionally pleased with the work put forth by those who stepped forward to accept the challenge not only to run for a delegate position, but especially owe a debt to those who chose to take on the task of conducting the caucus itself. Our party owes a tremendous debt to those persons who labor on its behalf without seeking favor, recognition or even gratitude. Those persons are the real stars of our party.”
