Independent Movement Wins Four Seats in USVI Election

Voters in the US Virgin Islands have handed victory to The Future, an independent movement that fielded candidates outside the traditional party system in the November 3rd general election.

Four members of the movement won office: Imani Daniel and Dr. Sennai Habtes secured seats in the Legislature representing the St. Thomas/St. John district, while Hadiya Sewer and Raven Phillips also won positions, with Phillips elected to the Board of Elections.

The Future describes itself as a community-rooted, ethics-first movement. It was formed in April 2025 and operates without formal party registration or structure. During the campaign, the movement prioritised reliable and affordable electricity, affordable housing, education overhaul, economic opportunity, healthcare improvements, and climate action.

Daniel, a co-founder of The Future, topped the legislative ballot in her district. She attributed the movement's appeal to widespread dissatisfaction with government performance. She pointed to problems including an unreliable power grid, deteriorating school buildings, weak literacy and numeracy outcomes, failing healthcare facilities, sewage overflow, and accumulated rubbish as signs that basic government services have broken down.

Daniel told the Virgin Islands Consortium that voters have felt disconnected from their government for eight to twelve years. "I don't think people have felt seen, let alone loved and cared for and included in their government in the last eight to twelve years," she said.

Daniel will focus on engaging seniors, updating the VI Code, advancing constitutional reform, and pressing the executive branch to deliver on pledges to fix the power utility WAPA, healthcare, and schools. Habtes, who leads the Department of Planning and Natural Resources fisheries bureau and teaches at university level, has made structural government reform his priority. He wants the Legislature to build systems ensuring fiscal transparency and plans to revise conservation law to safeguard marine resources.

Both incoming legislators expressed readiness to scrutinise the annual budget process. Daniel said she wants The Future to bring "a new level of scrutiny" and prevent lawmakers from rubber-stamping executive proposals. Habtes warned that the executive branch cannot simply request funds without explaining how the money will be spent and implemented.

Phillips, the youngest member of The Future, told the Consortium the movement is "operating as a bridge" to bring young people into politics. She stressed the importance of youth seeing themselves in elected office.

Daniel and Habtes will join the 37th Legislature in January 2027 as part of a cohort of six new legislators. They will serve alongside returning senators including Marvin Blyden, Kurt Vialet, Alma Francis Heyliger, and Kenneth Gittens. Both have already built working relationships with current lawmakers who have offered guidance as they prepare for their roles.

The new Legislature will need to select five committee chairs and a Senate President. Members of The Future have not yet been told whether they will lead any committees.