ST. THOMAS, USVI — Stacey E. Plaskett has made history in the 2026 U.S. Virgin Islands General Election, becoming the first woman elected Governor of the territory and the first Black woman elected governor anywhere in the United States.
Plaskett and her running mate, Senate President Milton E. Potter, secured 11,865 votes, representing 62.8 per cent of the votes cast in the gubernatorial race, according to unofficial election returns.
The Democratic ticket defeated four independent tickets, receiving more votes than all four opposing combinations combined and surpassing the majority threshold required to avoid a runoff.
Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg and Positive Nelson finished second with 2,507 votes, followed by Oakland Benta and Merwin Potter with 2,273.
Warren Mosler and Colin Robertson received 1,293 votes, while Gustav James and Randolph Bennett secured 637. A further 316 votes were recorded as write-ins.
The results give Plaskett and Potter a margin of 9,358 votes over their nearest challengers.
A Historic First for Women and Black Representation
Plaskett’s victory marks a significant milestone in American political history. Although women have previously served as governors across the United States and its territories, no Black woman had previously been elected to the office.
The result also ends more than five decades of exclusively male leadership in the elected governorship of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For Virgin Islanders, the election represents a historic change in the territory’s political leadership, with Plaskett set to become the first woman to hold the governorship since residents gained the right to elect their own governor.
From Washington to Government House
Plaskett’s election brings an end to a congressional career that began in January 2015, when she took office as the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Delegate to Congress.
During nearly 12 years in Washington, she represented the territory on federal matters, including disaster recovery, healthcare funding, economic development and the rights of residents of U.S. territories.
She also gained national attention in 2021 when she served as one of the House impeachment managers during the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.
Her transition to Government House will see her move from advocating for the territory in Washington to leading its executive government.
Potter, who currently serves as President of the 36th Legislature, will assume the office of Lieutenant Governor.
The incoming administration will inherit several longstanding challenges, including the financial and operational difficulties at the Water and Power Authority, healthcare, housing, education, infrastructure, public safety and government finances.
New Administration in January
Plaskett and Potter are scheduled to take office on January 4, 2027, succeeding the Albert Bryan Jr. and Tregenza Roach administration, which is completing eight years in office.
The election results remain unofficial pending the completion of the required canvassing and certification process.
With Tuesday’s outcome, the U.S. Virgin Islands is preparing for a historic transition in leadership, sending its first elected female governor — and the first Black woman elected governor in American history — to Government House.