Sarauw Wins USVI Congressional Delegate Race
Democratic nominee Janelle K. Sarauw has won the U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress seat with nearly 77 percent of the vote, defeating independent Shelley A. H. Moorhead by over 9,400 votes. The victory marks Sarauw's return to public office after nearly four years and eliminates the need for a runoff election.
Sarauw has secured a commanding victory in the race for Delegate to Congress in the U.S. Virgin Islands, capturing nearly 77 per cent of the total vote according to unofficial election returns from the Elections System of the Virgin Islands. Running as the Democratic nominee, Sarauw received 13,029 votes, or 76.93 per cent of the 16,936 ballots cast, to decisively defeat independent candidate Shelley A.
Moorhead garnered 3,586 votes, representing 21.17 per cent of the total, while 321 write-in votes were recorded. By securing an overwhelming majority, Sarauw surpassed the legal threshold required under federal law, eliminating the need for a runoff election. The victory marks Sarauw's return to elected public office after nearly four years outside the Legislature.
It sends her to Washington, D.C. to represent territorial interests in the United States House of Representatives. She will succeed outgoing Delegate Stacey E. Plaskett, who was elected governor in the same general election. Sarauw built a decisive lead prior to Election Day, securing 8,243 votes during early voting compared to Moorhead's 2,060—an advantage of more than 6,100 votes.
Early voting participation across the neighbouring territory was notably high, with 12,242 Virgin Islanders casting ballots early, accounting for roughly 38 per cent of active registered voters. Election officials noted that all reported figures remain unofficial until formal certification is completed.
The simultaneous election of Sarauw to Congress and Plaskett to Government House represents a major transition in the top political leadership of the U.S. Virgin Islands, ushering in new leadership in both the territorial executive branch and its federal delegation. For residents of the British Virgin Islands, political developments in the USVI remain of close interest due to the deep familial, cultural, and economic connections linking the two territories.
Leaders across both jurisdictions regularly coordinate on cross-border priorities, including inter-island ferry transportation, regional trade, maritime security, and disaster management. Sarauw's tenure in Congress alongside Plaskett's administration is expected to help shape collaborative initiatives across the greater Virgin Islands archipelago in the years ahead.
Primary source: Guavaberry