Stacey Plaskett elected first woman governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands

The longtime congressional delegate makes history as the first Black woman ever elected from a territory, as more Black women

Nov 3, 2026 0

Stacey Plaskett elected first woman governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands

2024 Democratic National Convention: Day 2 — Stacey Plaskett (C) leads the U.S. Virgin Islands delegation as they cast their votes during the Ceremonial Roll Call of States on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are gathering in Chicago, as current Vice President Kamala Harris is named her party's presidential nominee. The DNC takes place from August 19-22. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The longtime congressional delegate makes history as the first Black woman ever elected from a territory, as more Black women win big.

History has been made in the U.S. Virgin Islands. After 56 years, the territory has elected Stacey Plaskett as its first-ever woman governor.

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, the longtime congressional delegate and her running mate, Milton Potter, won the territory’s gubernatorial election after receiving 62.8% of the vote, per local reports.

“I extend my congratulations to Governor-elect Stacey Plaskett, Lieutenant Governor-elect Milton Potter and all those elected to serve the people of the Virgin Islands,” Governor Albert Bryan, who has served the territory since 2019, and whom she will succeed, said in a release.

“Public service is a profound responsibility, and earning the confidence of the people is an honor that carries an obligation to lead with integrity, listen with respect and work toward the common good,” he continued, adding, “To every Virgin Islander who voted, thank you for making your voice heard and helping shape the future of our Territory.”

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 21: Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) speaks during the Discussion on Democracy; So, What’s Next? panel at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference National Town Hall on September 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation)

The historic win also makes Plaskett, 60, a U.S. Virgin Islands congressional delegate since 2015, the first Black woman elected governor of any U.S. territory. Her victory only adds to a historic night for Black women candidates, with not one but two becoming governors, including former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who won Georgia’s gubernatorial race.

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 11: House impeachment manager Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) arrives at the U.S. Capitol on the third day of former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial on February 11, 2021 in Washington, DC. House impeachment managers will make the case that Trump was singularly responsible for the January 6th attack at the U.S. Capitol and he should be convicted and barred from ever holding public office again. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Before she launched her bid for governor, Plaskett became a nationally recognized political figure during her tenure in Washington, D.C., after she made history in 2021 as the first delegate from a U.S. territory to serve as a House impeachment manager during President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial. Over the course of her time as a delegate, she also advocated for federal funding for healthcare, disaster recovery, and economic development, as well as greater representation for U.S. territories.

Her campaign for governor focused on the rising cost of living in the USVI, healthcare, public safety, and strengthening the territory’s infrastructure, including its water and power systems.

U.S. delegate to the House from the Virgin Islands Stacey Plaskett (C) chats on the House floor ahead of the State of the Union address by U.S. President Joe Biden before a joint session of Congress at the Capital building on March 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. This is Biden’s final address before the November general election. (Photo by Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images)

“I’ve spent my career fighting for the nearly four million Americans living in our territories, and I’m ready to bring that same fight home,” she said in a statement in July. “In Congress, I fought to deliver for the Virgin Islands after Irma and Maria, to expand health care access, and to make sure our voice was heard in rooms where territories are too often overlooked. Now I’m ready to bring that same experience and determination to the Governor’s office.”

She and Potter are expected to take office on Jan. 4, 2027.