The Elections System of the Virgin Islands on Wednesday released its certified list of candidates for the 2026 election cycle, ending weeks of delays driven by candidate challenges, appeals, and an ongoing dispute over the authority of the supervisor of Elections and the Board of Elections.
The certification process, which determines which candidates will appear on the Aug. 1 Democratic primary ballot and the November General Election, was postponed multiple times as election officials reviewed nomination papers, considered appeals, and addressed questions surrounding candidate eligibility.
Among the most closely watched disputes was the challenge involving former Sen. James “Jimmy” Weber III. After the Board of Elections granted Weber additional time to cure a filing defect related to the district in which he submitted his nomination papers, the Elections System later determined that he had failed to submit enough valid signatures to qualify for the delegate to Congress ballot. As a result, Weber does not appear on the certified candidate list released Wednesday.
Questions also surrounded gubernatorial candidate Roy Sheridan, whose ticket was initially disqualified after election officials determined that his nomination papers did not properly identify his running mate. Sheridan subsequently appealed the decision and remained engaged in the qualification process.
Most recently, Delegate to Congress candidate Brett “Mac” McClafferty challenged a decision by Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes disqualifying him from the ballot following an investigation into complaints concerning his nomination petitions. McClafferty has appealed the ruling and requested an emergency hearing before the Board of Elections.
The dispute has since expanded beyond the individual candidacies themselves and into a broader debate over election authority.
Earlier this week, Board of Elections members Cleopatra Peter and Barbara LaRonde publicly questioned whether Fawkes possessed the legal authority to investigate and disqualify candidates, arguing that such powers belong to the Board of Elections under Virgin Islands law. Fawkes has maintained that the Elections System is authorized to verify information contained in nomination papers and conduct the reviews necessary to determine whether candidates meet statutory requirements.
The disagreement has exposed long-standing tensions between the Office of the Supervisor of Elections and some members of the Board of Elections regarding their respective roles in administering elections and determining candidate qualifications.
Board Chair Raymond Williams told the Source this week that an emergency meeting of the Board of Elections will be held to discuss the matter, although a date had not yet been established.
The release of the certified candidate list does not necessarily end the legal challenges.
Several candidates have continued to contest qualification decisions, and some have publicly suggested they are prepared to pursue further administrative or judicial remedies. The Elections System has likewise indicated that it expects additional legal scrutiny as the election season moves forward.
Also absent from the certified list is McClafferty, whose appeal remains pending. The delegate to Congress candidate has argued that the Elections System exceeded its authority in investigating complaints against his campaign and improperly disqualified him from the ballot.
Despite those disputes, Wednesday’s certification represents a significant milestone in an election cycle that has been marked by repeated delays, competing interpretations of election law, and growing public scrutiny of the candidate qualification process.
With the certified list now released, election officials are preparing for early voting and the Aug. 1 Democratic primary as candidates begin the next phase of campaigning across the territory.
Certified Candidates for the 2026 Election Cycle
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
- Oakland Benta / Merwin Potter (Independent)
- Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg / Positive Nelson (Independent)
- Donna Frett-Gregory / Rodney Moorehead (Democrat)
- Gustav James / Randolph Bennett (Independent)
- Warren Mosler / Colin Robertson (Independent)
- Stacey Plaskett / Milton Potter (Democrat)
- Tregenza A. Roach / Novelle E. Francis Jr. (Democrat)
Delegate to Congress
- Emmett Hansen (Democrat)
- Teri Helenese (Democrat)
- Shelley A. H. Moorhead (Independent)
- Janelle K. Sarauw (Democrat)
- Delia Smith (Democrat)
At-Large Senator
- Angel Bolques Jr. (Democrat)
- Hadiya Sewer (Independent)
St. Croix District Legislature
- Mutasem B.F. Mustafa (Independent)
- Elizabeth Hansen Watley (Independent)
- Alvin Milligan (Independent)
- Franklin Johnson (Independent)
- Diane Prosper (Independent)
- Tyler Courtland Fay (Independent)
- Luz “Lucy” Browne (Independent)
- Bianca Francis (Independent)
- Samuel Carrion (Independent)
- Julian S. Veira (Independent)
- Troy D. Mason (Independent)
- Jay Watson (Independent)
- Norman “Bapo” Jn Baptiste (Independent)
- Troy C. Williams Sr. (Independent)
- Gage Edmunds (Independent)
- Nereida Rivera O’Reilly (Independent)
- Dwight Mike Cartier (Democrat)
- Clifford A. Joseph (Democrat)
- Hubert L. Frederick (Democrat)
- Lynda “Nikki” Brooks (Democrat)
- Kurt A. Vialet (Democrat)
- Jose “Besse” Gonzalez (Democrat)
- Nemmy Williams-Jackson (Democrat)
- Kenneth “Kenny” Gittens (Democrat)
- Lisa J. Charles (Democrat)
- Omar B.U. Henry (Democrat)
- Raymond T. James (Republican)
Board of Education — St. Croix
- Winona A. Hendricks (Democrat)
- Mojania “Mo” Denis (Democrat)
- Christopher Jacobs Jr. (Democrat)
- Terrence T. Joseph (Democrat)
- Vincent H.A. Gordon Jr. (Independent)
- Lucy M. Jackson, Ph.D. (Independent)
Board of Elections — St. Croix
- Mary “Peggy” Moorhead (Independent)
- Shamari I. Haynes (Democrat)
- Juliet L. Liburd (Independent)
- Kareem T. Francis (Independent)
- Franz A. Christian Jr. (Republican)
St. Thomas-St. John Legislature
- David Sierra (ICM)
- Michael A. Smith (Democrat)
- Mayard “May” Leader (Democrat)
- Dwayne M. DeGraff (Independent)
- Carla J. Joseph (Democrat)
- Derrick A. Callwood (Republican)
- Avery L. Lewis (Democrat)
- Shenelle Fina Francis (Democrat)
- Ray “PuPa” Fonseca (Democrat)
- Alma Francis Heyliger (Independent)
- Peter Bailey (Democrat)
- Paula A. Duke (Independent)
- Larence “Larry” Boschulte (Democrat)
- Eric Tillet (Republican)
- Collister M. Fahie (Republican)
- Marvin A. Blyden (Democrat)
- Kashief Hamilton (Democrat)
- Joel S. Browne Connors (Democrat)
- Sennai Habtes (Independent)
- Imani Daniel (Independent)
- Dr. Krishna Kilaru, M.D. (Independent)
- Gregory P. Smith (Independent)
- Rudel A. Hodge Jr. (Democrat)
- Eugene D.J. Farrell (Independent)
- Vernon Araujo (Independent)
Board of Education — St. Thomas-St. John
- D’Vonte J. Xavier (Democrat)
- Bruce C. Flamon (Independent)
- Judy M. Gomez (Democrat)
- Michelle M. Cawthron (Democrat)
- Arah C. Lockhart (Democrat)
Board of Elections — St. Thomas-St. John
- Atanya Springette (Democrat)
- Barbara A. Petersen (Democrat)
- Raven Phillips (Independent)
- Preston R. Evans (Democrat)
- Kevin A. Rodriguez (Democrat)
- Harriet A. Mercer (Republican)
