A new poll was released by VI Tech Stack in collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL). It revealed frontrunners in the legislative elections, high support for Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s handling of the coronavirus and a majority of USVI residents in favor of more economic development and tourism.
In the election for delegate to the House of Representatives, incumbent Democrat Stacey Plaskett has an overwhelming advantage over her challenger Shekema M. George in both districts. 65 percent of respondents in St. Thomas-St. John and 73 percent of respondents on St. Croix said they would support Plaskett.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands legislative elections, seven candidates will be elected in the St. Thomas-St. John District and seven candidates will be elected in the St. Croix District.
In the St. Thomas-St. John District, Donna Frett-Gregory and Janelle Sarauw performed the best. Frett-Gregory received 16.2 percent and Sarauw received 14.7 percent. Marvin Blyden placed third with 8.7 percent, Athneil “Bobby” Thomas fourth with 8 percent, Stedmann Hodge Jr. fifth with 6 percent, Alma Francis Heyliger sixth with 5.8 percent and Milton E. Potter seventh with 5.4 percent. 14.3 percent are still undecided.
In the St. Croix District, Kurt Vialet and Allison DeGazon finished the best among their fellow incumbents. Vialet placed first with 13.4 percent and Allison DeGazon placed third with 10.6 percent. Democratic challenger Genevieve Whitaker performed very well with 11.2 percent, placing second and finishing ahead of the majority of incumbents. Javan James Sr. placed fourth with 9.6 percent, Novelle Francis Jr. fifth with 9.2 percent, Michael J. Springer sixth with 6.3 percent and Alicia “Chucky” Hansen rounded out the top seven with 4.5 percent. Undecided respondents are 12 percent.
Gov. Bryan’s favorability was just slightly higher on St. Thomas-St. John than it was on St. Croix, with 49 percent favorable to 31 percent unfavorable (+18) on St. Thomas-St. John; 44 percent were favorable to 34 percent unfavorable (+10) on St. Croix.
Bryan has very good numbers when it comes to his handling of the coronavirus: 64 percent of St. Thomas-St. John respondents agree while just 25 percent disagree with his handling (+39). On St. Croix, 58 percent of respondents said they agree while just 32 percent disagree with his handling (+26) of the coronavirus.
When it comes to the economy, a majority of St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix respondents are in favor of more development and tourism. On St. Thomas-St. John, 66 percent are in favor of a new casino or hotel that would create jobs for V.I. residents and 63 percent are in favor of more tourism. On St. Croix, 78 percent are in favor of a new casino or hotel that would create jobs for V.I. residents and 69 percent are in favor of more tourism.
Respondents were also asked how supportive they would be of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy in which the U.S. Virgin Islands government would support the private sector in rebuilding efforts and economic resiliency for the Virgin Islands, including upgrades to key infrastructure such as the Cyril E. King Airport and WAPA. St. Thomas-St. John respondents were 77 percent supportive; St. Croix respondents were 76 percent supportive.
The St. Thomas-St. John District poll was conducted from Sept. 23-27; it surveyed 450 likely voters and has a 4.58 percent margin of error. CLICK HERE to see the full results.
The St. Croix District poll was conducted from Sept. 23-27; it surveyed 250 likely voters and has a 6.17 percent margin of error. CLICK HERE to see the full results.
VI Tech Stack and The University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning accurately predicted the results of the 2018 U.S. Virgin Islands General Election. In the gubernatorial race, the top five vote-getters were predicted in order and a runoff election was accurately predicted between Bryan and Kenneth Mapp. The poll also correctly predicted the winner of the Senate-at-Large race, 7/7 of the St. Croix legislative winners and 6/7 of the St. Thomas-St. John legislative winners.
VI Tech Stack and The University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning also accurately predicted the winner of the 2018 gubernatorial runoff election. The poll showed Bryan as the nine-point favorite, which is exactly the margin he went on to win by. Results of the poll can be found here.
