Virgin Islands Consortium and WTJX launch primary debate series

The Virgin Islands Consortium and WTJX Radio are partnering to host a three-night debate series covering the 2026 primary elections, with sessions dedicated to candidates for lieutenant governor, governor and delegate to Congress.

The series begins Sunday at 7 p.m. with a one-hour debate among lieutenant governor candidates. The gubernatorial debate follows Monday at 8 p.m. and will run for two hours, with the congressional delegate debate concluding the series Tuesday at 8 p.m. for 90 minutes.

Ernice Gilbert, publisher of the Consortium, and Marcellina Ventura-Douglas, news anchor at WTJX Radio, will moderate the recorded debates. Both outlets will make the sessions available to the public through their respective platforms.

Tanya-Marie Singh, chief executive officer of the V.I. Public Broadcasting System and WTJX, said the moderators developed questions designed to explore candidate perspectives not covered in earlier forums. She described the series as the only journalist-driven debate of the primary season, distinguishing it from other campaign events.

Singh highlighted the moderators' combined experience and institutional knowledge of territorial issues. "They are entrenched in news everyday," she said, noting their access to research and historical context.

The partnership combines the reach of the territory's largest news platform with the public broadcaster's audience across the islands. Singh encouraged residents, particularly undecided voters, to watch or listen before early voting begins Monday. She said she had not received advance access to the recorded debates and would view them alongside the public.