USVI: Delegates to a losing cause

A record number of Virgin Islands Democrats turned out for caucuses Saturday, selecting the territory's six delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July.

"We've never had a turnout as high as that," said James O'Bryan Jr., Democratic state chairman.

A total of 788 party members voted in the caucuses - 391 on St. Croix and 397 on St. Thomas.

On St. Croix, party members elected St. Croix Administrator Gregory Francis and Labor Commissioner Cecil Benjamin as male representatives and former Young Democrats president and district party Vice Chairwoman Sonia Boyce as the female representative.

On St. Thomas, former American Federation of Teachers president and V.I. Labor Department official Glen Smith was elected male representative and businesswoman Desiree Hill and Young Democrats President Sandra Thomas-Mason were elected female representatives.

"The delegation reflects the strength, vitality and diversity of our party and displays the promotion of youthful leadership while representing the hopes and aspirations of the working men and women of the territory," O'Bryan said in a statement released by the party Sunday.