FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2020
Contact: John Yob
Legislative Winners Predicted in New US Virgin Islands Poll
Voters Highly Favorable Toward Governor Bryan and his Handling of Coronavirus
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands – New polls were released by VI Tech Stack in collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL). One survey was conducted in the St. Croix District and a second was conducted in the St. Thomas/St. John Districts.
Incumbent Democrat Stacey Plaskett is expected to win the election for Delegate to the House of Representatives over challenger Shekema M. George handily. Plaskett received 74% support to George’s 9% in St. Croix and Plaskett received 71% support to George’s 14% in St. Thomas/St. John.
In the US Virgin Islands legislative elections, 7 candidates will be elected in the St. Thomas/St. John District and 7 candidates will be elected in the St. Croix District.
In St. Croix, Democrat Kurt Vialet was the top performer, receiving 15.1% support. He’s followed closely by non-incumbent challenger, Democrat Genevieve Whitaker, with 14.7% of the vote. They were the only two to finish in double digits. There is very little separation to round out the top seven. Democrat Allison DeGazon finished third with 8.4%, Democrat Novelle E. Francis, Jr. fourth with 7.7%, Independent Samuel “Sam” Carrion fifth with 7.3%, Independent Alicia “Chucky” Hansen sixth with 6.7%, and Democrat Javan E. James seventh with 6.5%. Independent Franklin D. Johnson and independent Michael J. Springer were the first two out of the top seven, finishing with 5.4% and 4.0% respectively. 9.2% remain undecided.
In St. Thomas/St. John, Independent Janelle K. Sarauw and Democrat Donna Frett Gregory were the top two performers, with 13.2% and 13.1% respectively. Democrat Marvin A. Blyden also finished in double digits, with 11.7%. Democrat Stedmann Hodge, Jr. finished fourth with 8.6%, Democrat Athneil “Bobby” Thomas fifth with 7.5%, Democrat Milton E. Potter sixth with 6.2%, and Independent Dwayne. M. DeGraff seventh with 5.2%. There was less than a point of separation between the next four who finished outside of the top seven. Independent Citizens Movement Stephen “Smokey” Frett, Independent Alma Francis Heyliger, Democrat Carla Joseph, and Independent Ray Fonseca finished with 4.3%, 4.1%, 3.8%, and 3.5% respectively. 12.6% remain undecided.
The surveys also asked voters about their opinion of Governor Albert Bryan, and his favorability remains high in both districts. In St. Croix, 47% have a favorable opinion of the Governor and 31% have an unfavorable opinion (+16). In St. Thomas/St. John, 58% have a favorable opinion of the Governor and 25% have an unfavorable opinion (+33).
Governor Bryan also has very good numbers when it comes to his handling of the coronavirus. In St. Croix, 67% agree with his handling compared to 22% who disagree (+45). In St. Thomas/St. John, 70% agree with his handling compared to 22% who disagree (+48).
Governor Bryan’s favorability and opinion on handling of the coronavirus have both increased in St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John since the same questions were asked in the surveys VI Tech Stack and The University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL) conducted in September.
The polls found voters in the Virgin Islands are overwhelmingly in support of more development and tourism. In St. Croix, 85% are in favor of a new hotel or casino that would create jobs for residents of the US Virgin Islands and 67% are in favor of more tourism. In St. Thomas/St. John, 68% are in favor of a new hotel or casino that would create jobs for residents of the US Virgin Islands and 60% are in favor of more tourism.
Respondents were also asked how supportive they would be of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy in which the US 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. 80% of respondents in St. Croix and 81% in St. Thomas/St. John said they are supportive.
The St. Croix District poll was conducted October 24-26, 2020, surveyed 250 likely voters, and has a 6.17% margin of error. CLICK HERE to see the full results.
The St. Thomas/St. John District poll was conducted October 24-26, 2020, surveyed 450 likely voters, and has a 4.58% 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 (CELL) accurately predicted the results of the 2018 US Virgin Islands General Election. In the gubernatorial race, the top 5 vote getters were predicted in order, and a runoff election was accurately predicted between Albert 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. The full memo of the 2018 election poll can be found here.
VI Tech Stack and The University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL) also accurately predicted the winner of the 2018 gubernatorial runoff election. The poll showed Albert Bryan as the 9 point favorite, which is exactly the margin he went on to win by. Results of the poll can be found here.