Bryan warns incoming independents: don't obstruct, collaborate

Outgoing Governor Albert Bryan Jr. told reporters Monday that while he welcomes the fresh energy among newly elected senators entering the 37th Legislature, he remains wary of the growing independent faction and has urged them to prioritise working with the incoming administration rather than blocking its agenda.

At a Government House briefing, Bryan acknowledged his discomfort with a larger independent presence in the chamber. "It always is of concern to me when we have a lot of independents," he said, noting that Democratic senators have predictable voting patterns he has learned to navigate. "I don't know where they're coming from," he added of the independents' policy direction.

Yet Bryan extended a cautious welcome to the newcomers, saying he hoped their drive would be matched by competence and flexibility. "I'm encouraged by the amount of fervor that we have, and hope that is matched by diligence, knowledge, and willingness to compromise in order to bring the Virgin Islands forward," he stated.

The 37th Legislature will seat five independents, per the Elections System's November 3 unofficial results. Returning members Franklin Johnson and Alma Francis Heyliger hold seats from St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John respectively. Three first-time independents will join them: Imani Daniel and Dr. Sennai Habtes from St. Thomas-St. John, and Dr. Hadiya Sewer, who unseated incumbent Angel Bolques Jr. in the territory-wide race.

All three newcomers ran under TheFuture, a political movement launched in April 2025 centred on government accountability, affordable housing, electricity reform and expanded civic engagement. Daniel topped the St. Thomas-St. John voting.

In an exclusive interview with the Consortium, Daniel and Habtes said they plan to tighten scrutiny of government spending, push structural reforms, strengthen public services and demand greater transparency from executive agencies. Daniel stressed that legislators must treat budget approval as a serious responsibility rather than a rubber stamp for administration proposals. Habtes echoed the call for fiscal transparency and departmental oversight.

Bryan cautioned that enthusiasm alone cannot solve the territory's deep-rooted problems. He urged incoming lawmakers to grasp the complexity of running government, value experience and institutional memory, and commit to teamwork. He also flagged economic headwinds, inflation and the pressing needs of public institutions as factors that will force difficult legislative choices.

With the Plaskett-Potter administration set to take office in January, Bryan expressed hope that the new Legislature will engage constructively with Government House. "I just hope that we don't have an exercise of resistance, and I hope that we have one of progress," he concluded.