Bryan Announces Reelection Bid in Front Large, Enthusiastic Crowd, Highlighting Achievements As He Seeks Four More Years
With an estimated 600 people or more gathered at the Bryan-Roach campaign headquarters on St. Croix filled with enthusiasm, Governor Albert Bryan and Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach announced their bid for reelection Tuesday night, highlighting some of what the campaign says are 100 achievements, including one of the most important successes in USVI history: staving off collapse of Government Employees' Retirement System.
2022-05-11 15:37:56 - VI News Staff
The announcement also had momentum online, with live viewership on the Consortium's Facebook page almost doubling that of Sens. Kurt Vialet and running mate Janelle Sarauw, who announced their bid last Thursday. At time of publishing, the Bryan-Roach event had nearly 11,000 views on the Consortium's FB platform, and several radio stations carried the event live as well, which broadened the audience.
The well-orchestrated presentation included several endorsements — from former Senator Roosevelt David to former Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen. "I supported Albert Bryan and Tregenza Roach in 2018, and I did it because if this territory that we love was going to progress, we knew we needed to change course. That's what they said they would do, that's what they did, and I am here to say I am not going back, we will not go back," Ms. Christensen said.
Throughout the event and leading up to the governor's and lieutenant governor's speeches, supporters spoke of the accomplishments of the administration and cast aside talk that not much was done to improve the USVI during Mr. Bryan's tenure. Mr. Vialet and Ms. Sarauw have criticized the administration for ongoing health care issues in the territory, the slow pace of disaster recovery projects, and what they contend is a failing education system. The administration has countered by stating that change takes time, while pointing to the successes of the governor.
Governor Bryan was introduced by Ashley Scotland, who currently serves as vice chair of the St. Croix District of the Democratic Party. Making an impassioned case for the governor's reelection, Mr. Scotland meticulously conveyed the administration's achievements — from shoring up the territory's finances with belt-tightening, which Mr. Scotland said resulted in annual surpluses not seen in the last 15 years, to the repayment of tax refunds. Mr. Scotland and other speakers also highlighted the administration's handling of Covid-19 — which even Mr. Vialet has praised — with administration officials placing Mr. Bryan's execution on par with the best in the U.S. and ahead of many states.
Taking the stage, Governor Bryan appeared confident and ready for the race. "Are you excited as I am?" he asked forcefully to the crowd, already on their feet and cheering. "I just want to say we've gotten a lot done in the last three years and we didn't do it alone, we did it together because the grace of God has shined upon the Virgin Islands and blessed us to eternity."