Ask and Answer.
An occasional series of Q&A with our territorial campaign manager Mr. Winston E. Smith chatting with community members, as he is in the field listening and interacting with you, the people and voters of the Virgin Islands. We will be about the community as we are here to listen…learn…and lead! Working hard to deliver progress we can all see and feel.
DATE POSTED: May 20, 2026
Q: How do you guys think that the race is going so far?
A: Awesome. We have hit the ground running! We had an exciting hybrid tri-island announcement on April 18. Then we had a great time on the road for Carnival. One week later, we were excited to open our headquarters on St. Croix and St. Thomas, followed by us being the first Democratic team to file our official nomination papers on the big island of St. Croix. Our campaign activities have provided us with the perfect opportunity to bring real meaning to the “people powered” aspect of our campaign. Stacey and Milton always love meeting folks and hearing what’s on people’s minds.
Q: What are your priorities in communicating to voters going forward?
A: We believe that people will benefit from first hearing what sets Stacey Plaskett apart. She has been incredibly effective in delivering for the Virgin Islands – in fact, with her leadership, she’s delivered $24 billion in Federal aid to help us rebuild after the hurricanes, for upgrading WAPA, rebuilding schools and hospitals. But securing billions in federal aid is only half the story – that money has to be put to use! The money is being squandered and is wasting away – billions and billions sitting in bank accounts held by Washington because the Virgin Islands hasn’t put plans in place to get it. Meanwhile, WAPA is still a mess, schools are still unbuilt and hospitals are still struggling. And if the next governor doesn’t fix this, Washington will take our money back. We lose it. Forever. This is insane. Stacey has a proven record of DOING THINGS and as governor, she will bring a new energy and drive to put the billions of dollars she won and fix what’s broken and make changes people can see and feel!
Q: How do you deal with people being cynical and skeptical and generally tired of politics as usual?
A: Well, first, people need a chance to see what Stacey’s done – and I’ve talked about that above. Then, they need to know how Stacey and Milton approach doing things. Together, they will bring in transparency, accountability and deliver change people can see and feel. A good example of this is health care. Stacey successfully fought in Washington to change the law to deliver a permanent increase in Medicaid funding, helping seniors and families in need. As governor, Stacey and Milton will upgrade and renovate our hospitals on time and on budget, provide help for families to care for aging parents and improve senior living centers. Our seniors deserve better health care and this new, energetic, get-things-done team will deliver.
Q: So what is the bottom line on Stacey and Milton?
A: The bottom line: Stacey delivered big bucks from DC – and now the fight is to put that money to work to make a difference – from affordable health care, better schools, to a fixed WAPA where power stays on and energy is affordable. And this team has the skills, the energy, and the drive to make a real difference.
Q: Seems like there’s a lot to learn about them both.
A: Indeed, we are lucky to have so much positive energy and so many positive things to talk about. Given that, our goal is really to start with radio right away and layer in digital communication and cable TV and CTV and OTT at some point relatively soon. It’s amazing how quickly time is passing – and we want voters to really know what this incredible ticket is about.
You can see what Stacey and Milton have been up to here.
June 18, 2026
Q: A lot of people are asking– what can I do to help support Stacey and Milton. What do you suggest?
A: There is a lot on the line – Stacey and Milton are the get-things-done, let’s-get-to-work team but there is an immediate deadline to make that happen. To vote in the Democratic primary on August 1st, supporters need to be registered to vote as a DEMOCRAT. If you are not registered, register as a Democrat by July 2nd. If you are registered to vote but not as a Democrat, change your registration to “Democrat” by July 2nd. Do this by going to www.VIvote.gov or going to the Election System offices in person. The August 1st Democratic primary will decide the next governor, plainly put, the Primary IS the election – be sure to vote and make sure that you are registered as a Democrat by July 2nd. The Plaskett/Potter team knows what it takes to modernize our electric grid, fight crime, improve healthcare, schools and our economy. Progress depends on us – register, and vote as a Democrat and let’s get things done.
Q: That sounds like an important message for people to hear…
A: It is important and urgent. Along with hearing about all that Stacey has done, it’s important that folks get the facts on this, both on radio and digital – it’s go time!
Q: Anything else you want to share?
A: I think several seniors have come up to me wondering what Stacey has done and what she will do for them. During the pandemic, she fought to get help to seniors stuck waiting for Meals on Wheels services. While in Congress, Stacey permanently expanded Medicaid funding for the territory by increasing the federal reimbursement rate from 55 percent to 83 percent and raising the annual funding cap, bringing millions back to the Islands for seniors. Stacey and Milton will build on this record. And they believe that this starts with healthcare – renovating our hospitals, improving senior living centers, helping families care for aging parents and dedicating $1 million a year in lottery revenues to provide cost-of-living assistance directly to government retirees. The good news is that Stacey has already brought home a lot of the federal funding needed to make these improvements. Now, she and Milton are the team that will put that money to work here at home, because our seniors deserve better.
July 6, 2026
Q: Update us on what is going on now that it’s July and the election is a month away.
A: As people learn about what Stacey Plaskett has done to help fund health care, they also need to see a simple and short truth – when every second matters, no family should have to wonder if they can afford a flight to save someone they love. Plaskett and Potter will bring quality lifesaving healthcare right here – because home should be where the healing begins.
Of course, they also need to continue to see and hear that Stacey Plaskett has used her powerful position on the Ways and Means Committee to deliver $24 billion in federal aid to the VI, but it was the responsibility of the VI government leadership to use that money, and they have failed. Schools have leaky roofs, and some have mold that may prevent them from opening on time for the new school year. Only one school is under renovation since Irma and Maria. Hospitals are understaffed and in disrepair. WAPA is a blackout disaster, daily affecting productivity, businesses, and interrupting the lives of Virgin Islanders. The fact is, the so-called leaders who have been here in the VI year after year are now making promises about fixing the mess they helped create. We know that won’t happen. Stacey Plaskett has not been part of the failed VI leadership here on the islands – she delivered Federal money for us, and now, as governor, she will support our gov’t workers and help put that money to work for people so they can see and feel the difference in their lives.
Q: As you travel around the Islands, what are you hearing from voters?
A: When I talk to voters who watch videos online and on TV, they often come up to me and say, “Show me the money! Show me the money!” Stacey used her powerful position on Ways and Means to deliver $24 billion to the VI, and it’s the leadership in the VI that has failed to put that money to work – and now they want a promotion! In the VI, Plaskett and Potter will put the money to work to make a difference that people can see and feel.
In addition, people are also so frustrated about the constant blackouts and want to see that Stacey and Milton represent the only real difference in this race. People, especially older folks have asked to see us more in print ads and in the mail across the VI; voters need to be reminded that Stacey Plaskett has secured changes in law that allow the administration to unlock 4.7 billion in federal aid for WAPA, but here in the VI, we STILL have almost daily blackouts. The other candidates are part of the do-nothing mess. The Plaskett/Potter plan will make real, meaningful change:
- Fix the failed WAPA leadership – friends and cronies have been running things.
- The executive director of WAPA has a $300,000+ a year compensation package – and NO ONE HOLDS HIM ACCOUNTABLE!
- While Lt. Gov. Roach has done NOTHING to fix the mess in the current administration, Plaskett and Potter will take responsibility for progress, partner with the workforce, drive innovation and make real changes to improve service.
- Check out the Plaskett/Potter plan that includes lowering energy costs and ending blackouts.
The bottom line: The so-called leadership that has given us blackouts can’t fix the WAPA mess. Plaskett and Potter will bring accountability, transparency, and meaningful change to bring back the power and light!
Q: Do you think voters have a clear idea of the stakes in this election?
A: I think that is slowly coming into focus. After reinforcing the clear choice on WAPA in print ads, a lot of our older folks are not really online, it’s important to have print ads and direct mail that show if you want change, both Donna Frett-Gregory and Tregenza Roach had their chance to lead here in the VI. You know where they have failed us: WAPA, hospitals and schools in disrepair, jobs and the cost of living, and you know things aren’t getting done. In fact, when Lt. Governor Roach says in a debate, “I’m not here to defend the administration,” but then shows up smiling at a ribbon cutting or groundbreaking…and then ducks accountability or responsibility for doing anything…that’s all you need to know about the lack of leadership we are suffering through. Stacey and Milton are about accountability, transparency, and getting things done.
Finally, at some point as the election day approaches, it’s important to hear from the people of the VI and what they are thinking. When they hear Lieutenant Governor Roach say he can’t defend the administration he’s part of, they know he’s more interested in excuses than progress. And Donna Frett-Gregory was the Commissioner of Education and in the legislature for six years while the schools have roofs that leak and teachers have been underpaid. She has held several important positions in the financial arena at education and the department remained under a third party administrator regarding federal spending. Voters understand that Stacey has been delivering results from Washington, and it’s time to give her a chance to change things and deliver results in the VI.
July 7, 2026
Q: The election is still a month away, but early vote starts soon – what is your sense of whether people know that or not?
A: People definitely need to hear that early vote starts soon. Both digitally and all over the internet with display and all sorts of ways. Early vote is from July 20 to July 29, with local offices of the Election System open from 9am to 6pm!
July 17, 2026
Q: We’re approaching the end of the primary…any last-minute thoughts?
A: It’s been a great campaign – Stacey and Milton are out there every day! In my view, on TV, radio, and digital, voters need to get a clear closing argument that makes the simple and straightforward case that the Virgin Islands can’t afford four more years of failed leadership—the WAPA mess, unrepaired schools, and hospitals failing our seniors. Stacey Plaskett delivered $24 billion from Washington, but our Virgin Islands leadership has failed to put it to use. Together, Plaskett and Potter will bring accountability and transparency to make a difference you can see and feel. The Virgin Islands is a beautiful place, with good people and so much promise. You deserve better, and Stacey and Milton will deliver.
In print ads, people should be reminded through multiple iterations that four more years of blackouts and sky-high electric bills are something our families and small businesses can’t afford—and that the people who created the mess want four more years to keep failing. NO MORE! Stacey Plaskett and Milton Potter will replace failed leaders, demand accountability, and do what needs to be done to keep our lights on and electric rates affordable!
Finally, it’s worth also reminding people in social media and in radio ads that the people attacking Stacey Plaskett with lies are the ones who gave us WAPA, hospitals failing our seniors, and unrepaired schools. They mismanaged $24 billion from Washington and want four more years to fail you and your family. It’s time to move on. Plaskett and Potter will bring accountability and transparency and drive changes you can see and feel.
Q: Anything else?
A: It seems to me when possible, everything we say we should remind people to VOTE – early vote goes through the July 20-July 29 and election day is August 1!!!!!
