Lettsome launches bid for At-Large seat

Levor Lettsome has announced his candidacy for a Territorial At-Large seat in the next general election, becoming the first declared candidate of the newly formed Virgin Islands Innovative Association (VIIA).

Lettsome, who chairs the organisation, said the VIIA has 21 committee members, including executives and general members who oversee its policies, decisions and activities.

“I am the only candidate so far who has declared candidacy. Of course, we have other persons who are there but have not yet,” Lettsome stated during the Talking Points programme.

Lettsome said the VIIA intends to field additional candidates, but explained that the organisation is still “going through the preliminaries” to prepare other members for the upcoming polls.

No election date has been announced, but the next general election is constitutionally due in 2027. The Office of the Supervisor of Elections has begun recruiting officers to work at polling and counting stations.

Lettsome said he decided to enter politics after considering the territory’s circumstances and the assistance he already provides to residents, including help with résumés, letters and employment searches.

“I decided to put myself forward because I prayed about it, and after praying and got the support from these type of people and, you know, seeing that we need to really make a change in this country,” Lettsome stated.

He said the VIIA requires its At-Large candidates to concentrate on national matters, while district candidates must focus on initiatives within their constituencies.

Lettsome identified greater public participation in national decision-making as one of the association’s main objectives.

“Our fundamental objective in this particular initiative, as we put forward from the committee, is to give the people of the Virgin Islands back their voice,” Lettsome stated.

He said residents should receive information about the territory’s operations, public finances and major government decisions. Lettsome also proposed a National Quarterly General Assembly to brief residents on the territory’s financial position, proposed projects and government spending.

“The nation would be able to have forthright understanding of where they are financially, what projects are going to be worked on, how their monies are being spent and all of these different things,” Lettsome stated.

He also supported recall legislation and called for a referendum to form part of future constitutional reform exercises.

The association has not announced any other members of its prospective slate.