Elections System vets aspirants, disqualifies nine

The V.I. Elections System has vetted all of the aspirants who submitted petitions for the upcoming primary and general elections, and disqualified nine individuals on St. Croix who failed to fix defects in their applications — including the only Republicans who filed to run for governor and State Chair of the V.I. Republican Party.

In response to questions from The Daily News, Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes provided a list of political aspirants who filed nomination paperwork, but were subsequently disqualified from being on the ballot.

None of the St. Thomas-St. John District aspirants were disqualified, but two Democrats have withdrawn — Randolph Bennett, who filed paperwork to run for the Board of Education, and Isheba James, an aspirant for the Territorial Committee District.

James was arrested in May and charged with grand larceny after police said she was caught on surveillance video taking cash and winnings from another person’s slot machine at a gambling hall on St. Thomas.

On St. Croix, none of the aspirants have withdrawn, but nine have been disqualified, including four Democrats and five Republicans.

They include aspirants for the Democratic Party’s Territorial Committee At-Large, Kwame Garcia Sr. and George Byam, and one aspirant for the Democratic Party’s Territorial District Committee, Jose Nieves. Democrat Jeannette Guzman’s filing to run for the Board of Elections was also disqualified.

Two aspirants for the Republican Territorial Committee, Valerie Stiles and Humberto O’Neal, were disqualified from running, and Republican Emerito Torres was disqualified from running for the Board of Elections.

St. Croix Deputy Elections Supervisor Terrell Alexandre said Monday the reasons for the disqualifications varied, and “every single one is a different case.”

Each candidate was notified via phone and email and given three days to respond and correct any defects identified by staff. Those who did not respond were disqualified.

For example, the only Republican to file to run for governor, Andrew Marrero, did not provide required information, or identify an aspirant for lieutenant governor.