Julian Fraser Endorses PVIM

In an unprecedented move, Third Electoral District incumbent Julian Fraser has publicly endorsed the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM).

This is the first time Fraser has endorsed a political party.

Fraser has been the Third Electoral District representative since 1999. He won the seat as a member of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), and has held the positions of Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Communications and Works.

The seasoned politician unsuccessfully led the VIP in the 2015 general election. In 2019, he formed his own political party – Progressive United.

PVIM’s chairman Ronnie Skelton is contesting as a territorial at-large candidate in the April 24 general election.

PVIM was launched in 2018 after Skelton left the National Democratic Party (NDP) following a tumultuous leadership battle. He lost the chairmanship to Myron Walwyn following then Premier Orlando Smith’s retirement from politics.

PVIM only won a single seat in the 2019 general election -Mitch Turnbull in the Second Electoral District.

This election, PVIM has a slate of nine candidates. Joining Skelton in the territorial at large race are Stacy “Buddha” Mather, Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe and Shaina Smith-Archer.

The party’s District candidates are: Silvia Romney (First District), Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull (Second District), Ian Smith (Fourth District), Marvin Blyden (Fifth District) and Shereen D. Flax-Charles (Ninth District).

Voters will not be able to vote for a PVIM candidate in districts three, six, seven and eight.

 Advance polling day is April 20.