Campaign Pens or Pencils Soon Come? Jimmy Dalmida To Launch Write-in Campaign for Senator at Large Seat

 

 

Former St. John Administrator James Dalmida is going to mount a write-in campaign for Senator at Large so voters can have a “better choice” in the November election, Dalmida told St. John Tradewinds in late June.

Dalmida, who served as island administrator in the Schneider administration, withdrew his announced candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the St. John V.I. Senate seat in May after election officials questioned his residency eligibility because Dalmida has been working out of the territory.

When officials asked Dalmida for tax documentation of his three-year USVI residency at the May deadline for filing candidacy papers, the popular administrator and hospitality industry professional said he was unable to provide the necessary documentation before the deadline imposed and he withdrew his candidacy promising to try again.

On June 28, Dalmida told St. John Tradewinds by e-mail that he would be mounting a write-in campaign instead of waiting for the next election to primary.

“Because so many people are asking me to do something so they can have a better choice than they have now, we are running a write-in campaign,” Dalmida e-mailed Tradewinds. “We are going forward because many Virgin Islanders feel that it is time for a new way of thinking.”

“I am working with an attorney so I am limited on what I can disclose at this time,” Dalmida added. “We will have a press release ready after the holidays.”

Election officials also denied Senator at Large bids by Democratic B. Greg Miller and Republican Jodi Hodge based on the Board of Elections’ three-year St. John residency requirement leaving only two St. Johnians qualified to run for Senator at Large in the November election: the controversial Ronnie Jones as the Democratic candidate and the Independent candidate, former Senator at Large Almando Liburd.

And, Dalmida hopes, “Other” or “Write-in.”