Virgin Islands Elects First Black Woman Governor in US History

Stacey E. Plaskett has shattered a longstanding barrier in American politics, winning election as governor of the US Virgin Islands and becoming the first Black woman to lead any US state or territory.

Plaskett, who has represented the territory in Congress since 2015, and her running mate, Senate President Milton E. Potter, captured the election with 11,865 votes, or 62.8 percent of the gubernatorial vote, according to unofficial results from the Elections System of the Virgin Islands. They defeated four independent tickets, accumulating more support than all rivals combined and securing the majority needed to avoid a runoff.

The breakthrough extends beyond the territory's borders. While women have previously served as governors elsewhere in America and in Puerto Rico and Guam, no Black woman had won election to a governorship in the United States until this result. Research by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University had documented the absence of Black women among the nation's elected governors heading into the 2026 cycle.

Plaskett's nearest challenger, Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, finished second with 2,507 votes, leaving Plaskett ahead by 9,358 votes. Oakland Benta and Merwin Potter placed third with 2,273 votes. Warren Mosler and Colin Robertson received 1,293 votes, Gustav James and Randolph Bennett secured 637, and 316 votes were recorded as write-ins.

The Democratic ticket showed particular strength during early voting, capturing approximately 67.3 percent of that portion of ballots cast. On Election Day itself, Plaskett and Potter secured roughly 55.8 percent of gubernatorial votes.

The victory arrives as Black female candidates also compete for governorships in Georgia and Minnesota, though those races had not been decided when Virgin Islands results were announced.

For the territory, the outcome ends more than fifty years of male-only leadership in the elected governorship. Plaskett will assume office on January 4, 2027, succeeding Governor Albert Bryan Jr., who completed his second consecutive term and faced constitutional term limits.

Plaskett's congressional tenure, which began in January 2015, included high-profile roles in national politics. She served as one of the House impeachment managers during President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial in 2021, gaining widespread attention. She also became the first representative from a US territory to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee.

The Elections System must complete canvassing and certification before the January 2027 inauguration, with certification scheduled for November 13. Plaskett and Potter won the Democratic primary on August 1 with 4,742 votes, defeating Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach and Senator Novelle Francis Jr., who received 3,212 votes.