The Virgin Islands Party convened Congress in Road Town on Wednesday evening and formally ratified three candidates to run on its slate in the 2027 General Election, marking another milestone in the party's campaign preparations.
Attorney Nelson Samuel has been ratified as one of two territorial at-large candidates the VIP intends to field. The party has not yet publicly identified the second at-large nominee or disclosed details about the third candidate approved at the meeting.
The Congress has intensified uncertainty surrounding the political standing of current At-Large Representative Lorna G. Smith. Smith has made clear her desire to contest the forthcoming election under the VIP banner, yet she remains unratified as a candidate despite the party holding multiple Congress sessions. Smith has indicated she is awaiting a formal statement from VIP Chairman and Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley concerning her candidacy.
With three candidates now officially approved and Smith still not among them, her position on the VIP ticket remains unresolved.
The meeting reflects the broader intensification of electoral activity across the territory as the constitutionally mandated 2027 election draws closer. The People's Leadership Movement, headed by Mark H. Vanterpool, has already put forward Juan "Hatchett" Richard as its opening territorial at-large nominee. The VIP has signalled that additional announcements about the three ratified candidates and other nominees are forthcoming.
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