Running unopposed in her bid for a fifth two-year term in Washington, D.C., Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett’s certain victory Tuesday came as she dealt with the “grave” illness of her father.
Plaskett, the Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress since 2015, said rather than celebrating with her constituents as usual, she was seeking peace at her father’s side.
“Each election I am always excited to go to all the polls, electioneering and thanking the people of the Virgin Islands, young and old, for participating in one of the most sacred aspects of our democracy,” Plaskett wrote in a media release. “Unfortunately, this year I will be unable to participate due to illness in my family. My father, Leroy Plaskett, is gravely ill and it is important that I provide support and attend to the needs of both of my parents.”
The Congresswoman thanked her family for their support and asked Virgin Islanders to keep them in mind.
“I ask that you all pray for the strength of my family and respect our privacy during this time,” she wrote. “Thank you for your prayers and support.”
Plaskett, a member of the House Ways and Means, Budget and Agriculture committees, won the congressional delegate race when then-Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2014.
Plaskett defeated independent candidate Shekema George in 2020, garnering 88.09 percent of the vote. In 2021 she gained broad recognition on the mainland as one of the House impeachment managers, presenting the case against then-President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial.