Plaskett launches US Virgin Islands governor campaign in Frederiksted

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett formally launched her campaign for governor on Saturday night in Frederiksted, with Senator Milton Potter as her running mate for lieutenant governor.

Plaskett outlined an expansive agenda centred on healthcare, education and infrastructure. She pledged that a Plaskett-Potter administration would establish two nationally accredited hospitals within six years, recruit medical professionals and build a healthcare workforce to keep residents in the territory. The ticket would also prioritise senior and mental health facilities, invest in measurable gains in math and reading, expand early literacy and after-school programmes, and strengthen technical and trade pathways for students.

On energy, Plaskett said her administration would immediately rebuild the Water and Power Authority using the $4.7 billion already secured, with the goal of delivering reliable and affordable power. She framed the campaign around turning federal funding into visible results for residents through better healthcare, improved schools, stronger infrastructure and expanded opportunity.

Plaskett also addressed attacks related to Jeffrey Epstein, saying political opponents were trying to distract voters from everyday issues. She said her campaign received $8,000 related to Epstein matters, which it gave to women and family organisations, and that she had been cleared by victims and was not afraid of investigation.

Potter, running for lieutenant governor, said he was motivated by obligation rather than ambition. He spoke about his mother's struggles with the healthcare system and pointed to residents leaving the territory for basic services. On energy, he highlighted that blackouts lasting days have caused residents to lose medicine and businesses to lose income, and said the territory should not have some of the highest energy rates in the country given its year-round sunshine.

Senator Franklin Johnson, who also addressed supporters, framed the ticket as a people-first coalition that should rise above party divisions and urged voters to focus on the economy, infrastructure and larger issues facing the territory.