US Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett and Senate President Milton Potter have won the Democratic primary for governor and lieutenant governor in the US Virgin Islands, securing their party’s nomination ahead of the November 3 general election.

The Plaskett-Potter ticket defeated two rival slates: incumbent Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach and Senator Novelle Francis, as well as former senator Donna Frett-Gregory and Rodney Moorehead.

According to an s on Saturday night, Plaskett and Potter received 4,493 of the 9,561 votes cast in the gubernatorial contest.

The Roach-Francis ticket finished second with 3,054 votes, while Frett-Gregory and Moorehead secured 1,975 votes. Another 39 ballots were cast for write-in candidates.

Plaskett and Potter’s campaign had received endorsements from several prominent Democratic Party figures, including former US Vice President Kamala Harris.

In a statement on social media, the pair thanked voters for their support.

“Thank you to every voter who made their voice heard, every volunteer who donated their time, every supporter who stood with us, and every Virgin Islander who welcomed us into their community,” they said.

“You shared your hopes, concerns, and vision for our cherished Virgin Islands. As this primary concludes, our gratitude and commitment remain unwavering. It has been an honour to travel this journey with you.”

The Virgin Islands Elections System is scheduled to certify the primary results on August 11.

The election summary reported that 9,991 ballots were cast territory-wide, including 17 blank ballots. The final unofficial count was 2,878 ballots higher than the 7,113 recorded when early voting ended on Wednesday.

Early voting accounted for 34 per cent of the territory’s active registered Democrats, with 3,461 ballots cast on St. Croix, 3,444 on St. Thomas and 208 on St. John.

Meanwhile, former senator Janelle Sarauw won the Democratic nomination for Delegate to Congress after topping a four-way race with 4,913 votes.

Former U.S. Attorney Delia Smith finished second with 3,007 votes.

Teri Helenese placed third with 799 votes, while former senator Emmett Hansen received 493 votes.

Another 22 votes were cast for write-in candidates.

Sarauw, who served three terms in the Virgin Islands Legislature between 2017 and 2023, celebrated the victory on social media.

“Team Sarauw, we did it. 4,913 of you chose #4 Janelle K. Sarauw and chose a future for the Virgin Islands where our voice is heard loud and clear on Capitol Hill,” she wrote.