CHRISTIANSTED — Senator Kurt Vialet proved the polls right by finishing in first place in the 2020 General Election Senate race. The former St. Croix Educational Complex High School principal finished with 4,421 votes.
St. Croix attorney Genevieve Whitaker, a newcomer who ran unsuccessfully in 2018, laid her claim to a second place finish with 3,580 votes.
Third place is the domain of former St. Croix Police Chief, Senator Novelle Francis, Jr. who tallied 3,468 votes. The fourth spot goes to sophomore Senator Javan James with 3,454.
Samuel Carrion, in his first time running for the Senate, was able to secure the fifth spot with 3,178 votes. He was endorsed in campaign ads by former Senator Nereida “Nellie” Rivera O’Reilly.
Another newcomer is Franklin D. Johnson. The former senior advisor to former Governor Kenneth Ezra Mapp. Johnson came in 6th with 3,167 votes. He was followed by veteran four-term Senator Kenneth Gittens in 7th place with 2,983 votes. Gittens was originally the Senate President of the 33rd Legislature now ending.
Senator DeGazon, who came in second during the 2018 elections, lost her bid for a Senate seat, placing two spots out in 9th place with 2,733. Also failing to secure a seat was veteran former Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen, who finished 10th with 2,726 votes.
Whitaker, Carrion and Johnson will be freshman senators in the 34th Legislature which will be sworn in in January 2021. They edge out Senators Oakland Benta, DeGazon and Alicia Barnes.
Former Energy Office and DPNR Commissioner Barnes did not actively seek re-election. Benta is a former police officer. DeGazon used to work for the Department of Labor.
For all of the 2020 General Election results, click on the link below: