Senate Democrats Choose Myron Jackson As Senate President Of 32nd Legislature; Body To Convene January 9

ST. THOMAS — The Virgin Islands Legislature, led by the Democratic Party with its current majority of 11 senators, has chosen Senator Myron Jackson as Senate President of the 32nd Legislature, current Senate President Neville James has made known, via press release. The Senate president mantle is switched between the two districts every two years.

Democrats retained 10 of the 11 seats it held during the 31st Legislature, with Senator Kenneth Gittens losing his seat to Alicia Hansen, an independent former lawmaker who won in November, placing third in the race with 4,513 votes. Senators Clifford Graham and Justin Harrigan were replaced by Democrats. Mr. Graham did not seek a new term; Mr. Harrigan was eliminated.

“The campaign is over and I’m glad that 10 of the 11 Democrats elected saw fit to put a ajority caucus in place that will provide the kind of representative government the territory deserves and needs” Mr. James said. “The legislature as an institution has a responsibility to pass legislation and exercise oversight to allow for a better quality of life and I am confident that the legislative officers selected along with the respective committee chairmanships will result in a productive term throughout 2017 and 2018.”

The 32nd Legislature will convene on January 9. Along with Mr. Jackson as Senate president, Senator Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly will serve as Senate Vice President, while Senator Jean Forde will serve as the legislative secretary. Current president James will serve as the majority leader when the newly-elected senators take the oath of office the second Monday in January, as mandated pursuant to the Revised Organic Act of 1954, according to the release.

Joining the officers in the newly organized majority caucus will be senators Marvin Blyden, Novelle Francis, Jr., Sammuel Sanes and Kurt Vialet, along with senators-elect Kevin Rodriguez and Brian Smith. Rodriguez and Smith will be serving their first terms when they take the oath in January.

“Committee chairmanships have been assigned to all of the caucus members and as soon as the committee memberships have been filled out, we will be announcing what the composition of the committee’s will be,” Mr. James said. “All of the caucus members are extremely comfortable with their respective chairmanships and we look forward to working with both the Executive and the Judicial branches of government.”