Governor Mapp, Readying Himself For Political Year, Will File Election Documents Today

ST. CROIX — Governor Kenneth Mapp will file his election papers at the Election System of the Virgin Islands on St. Croix this morning, a necessary move as he seeks a second term in office as the territory’s chief executive.

The governor has long confirmed that he would seek a second term to continue his vision, and said he was ready to face his competitors once the election cycle heats up. Until then, Mr. Mapp said he would be focused on being governor and leading the territory during some of the most difficult times the U.S.V.I. has faced, after being devastated by two Category 5 storms in September.

Mr. Mapp will face a number of candidates in November, including 6 independents and the eventual Democratic candidate. The independents include Soraya Diase Coffelt, who plans on announcing her running mate on Tuesday; Positive Nelson, who is hosting a press conference today; Adlah Donastorg and Alicia Hansen, Warren Mosler and Ray Fonsesca, Janette Millin Young and Edgar Bengoa; and the Smith-Frederick ticket.

The number of independent candidates seeking the highest office, along with the Democratic candidate and the governor himself, is sure to dilute the pool of voters, making it highly likely that no team will capture the over 50 percent of votes needed to clinch victory — and in turn triggering a runoff.

A runoff would see teams that manage to capture a respectable amount of votes jockeying for influence in the upcoming administration — whether it’s the current Mapp team or a new victor. During the 2014 general election, Mona Barnes, now director of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, told her supporters to vote for Mr. Mapp. Ms. Coffelt, who participated in the 2014 race as a gubernatorial candidate, also told her supporters to vote for the current governor in the runoff election. Thereafter, she was named attorney general, a position Ms. Coffelt did not hold for too long.

The Senate race will see reams of newcomers as well, with the Elections System confirming that over 100 individuals have secured documents to seek office. While not all candidates are seeking to be a senator or governor, this year’s pool of voters will have a healthy number of choices to choose from in most categories.

Correction: May 7, 2018

A previous version of this story, because of a text error, referred to the Smith-Frederick ticket as the Moleto-Smith ticket. The story has been updated.