ST. CROIX — Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett sailed to victory last night, pummeling her write-in opponent, Republican candidate Gordon Ackley, by winning 97.57 percent of the vote. That percentage equates to 13,958 votes, more than double the amount of Tuesday night’s highest vote-getter, Marvin Blyden, the St. Thomas senator who finished with 6,186 votes. The delegate to Congress votes are usually high, as the race is held territory-wide. Even so, the congresswoman’s numbers were impressive.
It was also the most unsurprising victory of the night, and Ms. Plaskett thanked her supporters in a video posted on Facebook.
“I just want to thank everybody, all the people who were with us, all the people who worked and supported the campaign,” she said in a jovial mood, gathering family and campaign aides as she spoke. The group then broke out into loud cheers, with Ms. Plaskett even dancing a bit.
Ms. Plaskett then thanked citizens for simply voting for whomever their candidates were, stating that democracy is about being involved. “Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve you,” she later added.
Mr. Ackley earlier on Tuesday issued a statement, expressing humility in light of the support he received during the campaign.
“It has been an honor to campaign for a brighter future for all Virgin Islanders,” he said. “I am grateful and humbled by the support I have received in all of our island communities,” he said.
Mr. Ackley, however, emphasized that this election is a reminder that Virgin Islanders are denied the full enjoyment of their U.S. citizenship.
“It is shameful that Virgin Islanders remain disenfranchised from voting for president, especially when all five U.S. territories have the highest military enlistment rates in the country,” he said. “It is time to put politics and partisan considerations aside to do the right thing and extend the vote to all Americans.”
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