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February 12, 2008
GOVERNOR COMMENDS V.I. DELEGATES ON VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR SENATOR OBAMA; APPLAUDS OBAMA CAMPAIGN SUCCESS TO DATE From New York Monday night and just hours ahead of crucial party primaries in several states, Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. said he is very pleased with the overwhelming support Virgin Islands Democrats displayed this weekend when they elected Illinois Senator Barack Obama as their choice for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. “With their overwhelming support for Senator Obama, the voters of the territory have sent a clear message about who they want to receive the Democratic Party nomination. There was much interest and enthusiasm on display at the caucuses where we saw record numbers in voter turnout this weekend. This shows a renewed interested in the national political process and is wonderful for the political process here in the Territory,” deJongh said. DeJongh also congratulated the delegates and alternates elected to represent the party at the Democratic National Convention in Denver: Arah Lockhart, Senator Shawn Michael-Malone, Sebastiano Paiewonsky-Cassinelli, Shawna Richards, Marise James and Robert Rios. These individuals will be the voices of the Virgin Islands who will collectively pledge their votes for an Obama nomination. DeJongh said the momentum for Senator Obama’s candidacy has grown since the November 5 fund-raising event on St. Thomas. “Senator Obama brought his platform to the territory and his candidacy has been warmly embraced. I am pleased at the momentum that has been steadily building for his candidacy, which I am proud to have endorsed.” DeJongh said he remains optimistic that Obama is poised to sweep today’s races in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., following his success in all five of this past weekend’s contests. The Governor also praised the work of his wife, Cecile, on Obama’s campaign trail. The territory’s First Lady has traveled to South Carolina and most recently, to Massachusetts, to campaign for Senator Obama. “Cecile has been asked, as I have been asked, to continue our campaigning for Senator Obama, and we will do so as our schedules allow.” DeJongh said he has been asked to go and campaign for Senator Obama in some of the upcoming key states where primaries and caucuses are being held. |
