USVI Governor Race 2026
The Governor's Race, Explained
Seven tickets are running for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands this year. Here's what the job involves, how the race actually gets decided, and who's running.
What do the Governor and Lieutenant Governor do?
The Governor is the head of the executive branch of the U.S. Virgin Islands — overseeing every territorial government agency, proposing the annual budget, signing or vetoing legislation passed by the Senate, and representing the territory in dealings with the federal government. The Lieutenant Governor serves as the territory's second-in-command, overseeing functions including the Office of the Lieutenant Governor's corporate and tax divisions, and steps in if the Governor is unable to serve.
Unlike the Legislature, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor run on a single joint ticket — you vote for the pair together, not separately.
How long is the term, and are there term limits?
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor serve four-year terms, elected in the same years as U.S. federal midterm elections (2018, 2022, 2026, and so on). There are no term limits — Governor Albert Bryan Jr., for example, was first elected in 2018 and won re-election to a second term in 2022.
To be eligible, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen, at least 30 years old, and have lived in the Virgin Islands for at least five consecutive years before the election.
How does a candidate actually win?
A ticket needs more than 50% of the vote to win outright in the November 3 general election. With seven tickets in the race this cycle, it's mathematically unlikely that any one ticket clears that bar on the first vote. If no ticket wins a majority, the top two tickets head to a runoff election on November 17, 2026 — a common outcome in Virgin Islands gubernatorial races when the field is this crowded.
Source: Revised Organic Act of 1954, Title 3 of the Virgin Islands Code, Elections System of the Virgin Islands.
Governor & Lieutenant Governor
Seven certified tickets, official listing as of June 2026.Stacey Plaskett / Milton Potter
/ Democrat /Tregenza A. Roach / Novelle E. Francis Jr.
/ Democrat /Donna Frett-Gregory / Rodney Moorehead
/ Democrat /Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg / Positive Nelson
/ Independent /Gustav James / Randolph Bennett
/ Independent /Oakland Benta / Merwin Potter
/ Independent /Warren Mosler / Colin Robertson
/ Independent /See the full 2026 Election Hub
Every race, every district — Legislature, Delegate to Congress, Board of Education, and more.
Source: Elections System of the Virgin Islands, Official Certified Candidate Listing, June 2026. This reflects the field heading into the August 1, 2026 Primary Election. Since six of the seven tickets are Independent (not subject to a primary) and only three Democratic tickets are competing for their party's nomination, the November general election ballot is expected to closely resemble this list — but is not guaranteed until results are certified.
Last Time, Here's Who Showed Up.
Verified results from the most recent general election — and why your vote in 2026 matters just as much.
Nearly half of registered voters in the Virgin Islands sat out the last general election. That's not a small gap — it's tens of thousands of people whose voices weren't in the room when decisions got made about WAPA, public works, housing, and who represents them in the Legislature. Every seat in the Senate is up for election in 2026, alongside the Governor's race and Delegate to Congress. Low turnout doesn't just mean a quieter election — it means smaller, more concentrated groups of voters end up deciding outcomes that affect everyone. Registering and showing up is the most direct way to make sure that's not the case this time.
Registered Voters
Territory-wide, 2022 General Election
Votes Cast
For Governor & Lieutenant Governor
Voter Turnout
Nearly half of registered voters stayed home
Senate Seats on the Ballot
Every seat in the Legislature is up in 2026 — a full reset
Gubernatorial Tickets
One of the most crowded Governor's races in recent USVI history
Days Before Election Day
The deadline to register before any election — don't wait until the last week
Source: Elections System of the Virgin Islands, official certified results, 2022 General Election.