USVI Courting Trump and Washington Republicans

Eyeing an oil refinery restart, easing immigration restrictions, and other territorial needs, U.S. Virgin Islands representatives in Washington, D.C., have expanded outreach to President-elect Donald Trump and other soon-to-be empowered Republicans, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said Wednesday morning.

Although Virgin Islanders overwhelmingly elect Democrats, courting Republicans in Washington was nothing new, Bryan, a Democrat, told board members of the Public Finance Authority. “We always had a Republican bias in our representation just because, if you remember, Trump was president when I started the administration,” he said. That said, Bryan acknowledged he did not know what policies Trump may enact and what consideration the Virgin Islands may get. “I’m feeling positive now, however, Jan. 20, I think it is, when he’s sworn in, we’ll know exactly which side we’re on,” Bryan said.

Lobbyists plan to update the Public Finance Authority in February about their progress courting Trump and other Republicans, he said. The territory’s primary lobbyists are Republicans, and a new, well-connected lobbyist may come on board soon. “We have a new lobbyist that is courting us that has already given us access to Republicans in the administration — but he’s a little pricey so, I’ll try to negotiate him down to a reasonable sum,” Bryan said. “He’s worth the money, I think. Not the dollars he wants, but … it might cost us a little bit more this year.”