Nelson Withdraws Due To Lack Of Running Mate – Was Fear Of A “Tyrant” A Contributing Factor?
Nelson calls for removal of "tyrant" in Government House; says supporters can still write him in for Governor
Sen. Terrence "Positive" Nelson
The lack of a running mate has forced Sen. Terrence “Positive” Nelson to withdraw his formal candidacy for Governor and refocus his efforts on retaining his seat in the Virgin Islands Legislature.
But Nelson remained adamant that voters must remove the “tyrant” in Government House, even if the vote they now cast in that race will not be for him and said that fear of repercussions may have played a role in his ability to find a candidate for lieutenant governor.
At a news conference Wednesday morning, Nelson, a candidate of the Independent Citizens Movement (ICM) Party,  elaborated on a detailed platform that included his stands on numerous issues including crime, health care, infrastructure, the financial health of the Territory and energy, including an assertion that the VI Water and Power Authority should be replaced by a publicly owned utility.
But after outlining his position, Nelson began to speak of the unexpected challenges he faced in finding a running mate and his grave disappointment in the fact that no one had yet to “come forward” to join him in his quest for Governor. And he intimated that the reluctance of qualified citizens to come forward and join him came in part from fear of backlash for opposing the status quo.
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And then, with an emotion he described as “insurmountable grief,” Nelson disclosed his political plans for the immediate future.
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So absent the emergence of a late entry, the race for Government House is now between the winner of the Democratic Primary on September 11 and candidate Kenneth Mapp.
But while his direction has changed, Nelson has not given up entirely on a shot at the Governor’s seat, and said that if voters are dissatisfied with their remaining choices, that they should feel free to write him in as their gubernatorial choice.
Throughout his presentation, Nelson was firm and direct in his criticism of the administration of Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr., and closed the meeting by giving a definitive statement on why there needs to be a change in Government House.
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Donastorg in the primary, MAPP IN THE GENERAL. Listen to the streets…it seems a given!
Keep up the good works Foncie. How can they beat you?
I am pleased that Nelson will remain in the senate. I am assured that there will be at least two senators who will not fold to pressure from Government House…Nelson and O’Reilly. It is not his time right now, but there is always the future! Someone with integrity must remain in the senate for NOW! I will NOT vote for those that forget their role and fail to provide a check and balance with the future of the virgin islands.
@Devoted Island Girl: you are correct that Nelson (and Nellie) are good for the senate. Barack didn’t win his seat in the House the first go round. Nelson is good people and has the integrity to maintain this co-equal branch of government. Long live Terrence Nelson.
Anybody but Governor John Percy dejongh. That’s all I have to say today and everday!
anonymous @6:45 pm
Ask Foncie himself if he didn’t ask to be on someone’s ticket. Not that there is anything wrong with that……
Anything to defeat the Tyrant
Nelson is a fraud and a wannabe…
Fraud at what? Wannabe what?
He has succeeded at being a “True advocate” and has shown his love for the VI and it’s people. What more should he “wannabe”?
Nelson we love you.
Fear of a Tyrant @ 1:05 am,
Who are you trying to fool? If Donastorg was going to be Lt Governor then he would have been. Don’t be upset because the Donastorg/Baptiste team is young, intelligent, energetic and sincere. It is what it is.
Donastorg choose the perfect man to be Lt Governor. As for the other candidates…………well I’m sure you were disappointed too. Regardless of your disappointment and faith in the team you support, that is no reason to spread rumors and propaganda about the Virgin Islands next Governor and Lt Governor. Donastorg/Baptiste welcomes everyone, all Virgin Islanders to participate and share their personal thoughts and oppinions on what they feel should be done to make our Virgin Islnads the best it can possibly be.
When the Donastorg/Baptiste team is sworn in on January. The VI Government will officially become a government for the people by the people like it was always intended and created to be.
God bless you ‘fear of the tyrant’, the United States Virgin Islands and ALL of her people.
A source close to Terrence’s family told me that one of the reasons he had to drop out was that some of the people he approached for LT Governor wanted cash money up front! In the $100,000+ range.
Terrence refused to sell the position. The system is corrupt, but fortunately there are honorable people like TPN.
Right, it probably is true but you need to name names and substantiate a statement like that. I do definitely believe that people are being intimidated and threatened when it comes to this election.
@Anonymous on August 4, 2010 at 3:44 pm
That is one of the most ignorant comments I have heard in a long time. You should have taken the time to fully comprehend the announcement so that you don’t sound as ridiculous as you do. Let’s get a few things straight. Paraphrasing, what Senator Nelson said was that he initially heard the rumors of some candidates actually paying someone to be their running mate but then low and behold, he was confronted with the same dilemma. Perhaps not all the candidates throughout the VI history has had to encounter this issue but I know for a fact that this is a practice that continues for some of the candidates. If you know anything about Senator Nelson (which apparently you never bothered to take the time to research before opening your mouth), you would know that he has never been one to just “lay someone out to dry” just to make his situation look better. He could have easily told you the down and dirty details of the potential running mate that succombed to threats and finally a pay off by the opposition but instead, he took the high road and decided to not participate in the normal mud-slinging between politicians. That shows a great amount of integrity on his part; something that is truly lacking with the other candidates. Anonymous, sounds like you have a personal grudge with Senator Nelson, and if that is the case, by all means keep that to yourself. Senator Nelson has never and would never accept a “buy off/pay off”, and as for completing his house, he has his own resources for that. It is a sad day indeed when the people of the VI cannot decipher when someone is BS and when that person is legit. The proof is in the “pudding”. Track records speak for themselves. As far as I am concerned, not one of the other gubernatorial candidates could say that they have done 1/8th of the things that Senator Nelson has accomplished thus far in spite of not having adequate resources to do it. It is time for all of us to really take time out to pay attention to the current “mess” in the USVI right now. We really need someone with the courage/guts, intelligence, diligence, and integrity to move the USVI out of this corrupt and inhibiting system. I truly believe that Terrence “Positive” Nelson was indeed the right man for the job because he has demonstrated his sincerity, courage, skills, intelligence, abilities and capabilities, concern, efficacy, thoroughness, and his willingness to listen time and time again for over 15 years now. Don’t be ignorant people, do your own research and don’t rely on anyone to tell you what to think. It is unfortunate that he had to back out of the gubernatorial race because NOW IS THE TIME for Terrence “Positive” Nelson!!!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diu45AOtTy8
I am so tired of many hypocritical individuals here in the Virgin Islands. There are too many on island with holes on both sides of their mouth. I am in total agreement with Frustrated Crucian. Senator Positive Nelson has always been there for the people long before the senate business. Those of you who only now notice him and have negative things to say, need to get a life. He is not in politics for himself. Fortunately, he is there for some of you ignorant people who dont realize what is going on around you. Some of you are being used as pawns or toys by other politicians, then left to dry out. But don’t worry Senator Positive will continue to pick you up and dust you off.
Frustrated Crucian! You summed it up well. It is ashamed that some of these ignorant people will not even spend the time to read your comments and do their research to realized what the VI has loss with Positive Nelson withdrawing from the race. Hopefully he can continue to make a difference from the Senate and block the crooks and their supporters that get in the Government House.
what kind of legislation did he propose as it relates to our labor issues in the VI, especially on STX?
I like Senator Nelson, He is a spirited senator and needs to be back in the legislature. I am also happy that o’Bryan/Richards team has some more elbow room to swing their way into their respective and due positions as Governor and Lt. Governor. May God bless them and the people of the Virgin Islands of the U.S.
To all Nelson Lovers, tell us what he has done…where is the legislation dealing with labor issues…ask him about the Hovensa deal?????
One thing TPN could do better is get his message and positions out to the people. He should have his own website. If it exists, I can’t find it.
I will be voting for the candidate who offers good SOLUTIONS to problems, and not just someone who tells me there are problems that need solutions!
Nelson needs a good PR plan.