O’Bryan/Richards-Samuel Host Unconventional Kickoff To Gubernatorial Campaign
Candidates James "Jimmy" O'Bryan, for Governor, and Pamela Richard-Samuel, Lt. Governor
“We’re going to make a fight out of this.”
With these words, gubernatorial candidate James “Jimmy” O’Bryan Jr., and his running mate, former Commissioner of Tourism Pamela Richards-Samuel, kicked off their campaign in an hour-long radio presentation on WDHP 1620AM.
The O’Bryan/Richards-Samuel team is one of four seeking the Democratic nomination for the top two spots in Virgin Islands government. The will face challenger teams incumbents John deJongh/Gregory Francis; Sen. Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg/Sam Baptiste; and Gerard “Luz” James/Glen Smith in the September 11 primary,
It was O’Bryan’s first media appearance since his well-publicized departure from his morning radio slot on 1620. The presentation was very similar to the talk-show interview format he is most recently known for – and Richards-Samuel participated in the presentation by telephone from St. Croix.
The pair identified their top four platform issues as 1.) Public Safety; 2.) Education; 3.) Health Care; and 4.) Employment.
“This is not a marriage of convenience – this was a proposal built on mutual respect for each other,” O’Bryan said about his decision to team with Richards-Samuel.
Richards-Samuel spoke extensively of her experience in the Tourism role and both candidates emphasized the need to return integrity to the Government of the Virgin Islands. Other topics that were discussed were the Constitution, which both agree should be managed outside of the general election, and the property tax issue, which Richards-Samuel called “the straw that broke the camel’s back” in her decision to run for the Lieutenant Governor’s spot.
O’Bryan concluded the presentation by setting an expectation for the rest of the campaign, saying that there won’t be a lot of “fish frys and social events.
“We don’t have time for that – these times are too serious for that.”
What did you think of this kickoff presentation?
They only thing they say about Jimmy is that he is a traitor. Does that count? Lol
I got the chance to read Jimmy’s campaign website. It’s obvious that the webmaster was rushing to put it together. I read the details about the candidates, and the information is so vague. I didn’t realize that Ms. Richards-Samuel is so young! The pictures didn’ do these people any justice at all.
Jimmy and Pam are the most qualified for the job. They have a wealth of experience in government and are trustworthy. This campaign is not about fancy websites and costly campaigns. People have becomed more enlightened and are listening to what the candidates have to say. People are hurting and crying out for a change and not just the same old status quo but a few here are just talking about frivolous things. The chnge is here so wht not embrace it?
you are INSANE. After tonight’s debate how could you say that? Jimmy was HORRIBLE. You must be a family member or Shawn Malone……..lol.
I am neither. I am a wise Virgin Islander who can weed through those who talk a good talk but won’t necessarily a good governor make. Let people’s record speak for them.
What record? Being president of his class?? or being 3rd in a class of 4hundred something oh yeah records. What have they really done/
I agree with Lioness and Anon @ 10:30. I listened to the forum, and when I saw how Jimmy struggled answering the questions, I truly feel sorry for him. He looked so scared and confused, it is obvious that he is not ready. He might as wel drop from the race. Whatever motives he have for running, it is not worth the embarassment.
I am honestly perplexed as to where all this animosity against Jimmy O’Bryan is coming from.
He did as well as Donastorg did in the debate, in fact, if you’re judging on substantive responses vs. political posturing, there were times when he was better.
I did not see him look scared or confused. Donastorg has been a crusader and has stood up – no question – but he often sounded more like he was making a political speech than addressing the issues in a debate.
We all know that the whole controversy around his departure from 1620 was fabricated and capitalized on by station management. So that’s not the source of the venom. He’s more of a historian and an administrator than a grandstanding politician and frankly, was more on point in answering some of the questions asked tonight than Donastorg was.
Now attack if you will, but so much of this criticism is irrational and completely discounts that for at least the past year, he has been a strong, visible voice against the corruption in the current administration.
And he was the ONLY candidate tonight to answered directly when asked if he would support the winner of the primary if the prevailing factor in that support was that as a Democrat he should support the party candidate – and he said NO.
The problem is that this community is all about flash and not about substance. And just because Donastorg is a good candidate based on his record of challenging this administration and is, (and now you admit it because you know it is a factor around here), good looking, that does not make Jimmy O’Bryan a BAD candidate.
He is the Jimmy Carter of this election and his fatal flaw may be the same one that took Carter down after one term in the White House.
Jimmy Carter was too smart for America. Is Jimmy O’Bryan too smart for us?
ok really are you being serious?
@Just Wondering keep wondering because your above comment is nothing but BULL! You claim that 1620 setup Jimmy and he is the smartest and best candidate? Oh please, you are more of a joke than he is. Then again you probably are Jimmy. Trying to tout your own horn because you little to no supporters to do it for you.
Don’t forget Jim, you were a key player in the Turnbull Administration. The same Administration that left St Croix to rot to the dogs. If it wasn’t for de Jongh, Turnbull would have been crowned the worst Governor and Administration in VI history.
Your campaign is going no where fast. Get used to it, you won’t win the primary election. You are recycled, damaged goods.
Jimmy: please stop blogging and start campaigning. You’re not even close to being behind the 8 ball.
Ole Jimbo will be lucky to secure 200 votes total in the primary.
@Just Wondering is correct. Jimmy did well tonight whether he gets 200 votes or not. In fact they all did well. Like the old SAT’s you got 400 points for showing up. The hostility is uncalled for. If you prefer another candidate then fine. You have a right to vote for that person and not vote for Jimmy. But what I saw tonight was almost unity disgorging ourselves of The Absent One. Not the circular firing squad I see here. Don’t diminish Donastorg’s sound performance with ugliness.
What is perplexing to me is that DAILY when he was on 1620, Jimmy would call up the names of ALL the administrations he was a part of; Millin, Luis, Farrely, TURNBULL. But conveniently now, these names are not even mentioned.Hmmmm
Precisely. He never mentioned his accomplishments in those administrations. The Jimmy of last night was not the positive and confident Jimmy of 1620. It was as if he was a fish out of water. His performance last night was good, but not good enough.
Donastorg KNEW he had it, Luz knew he didn’t have it so made the best of it by doing his undertaker routine, and Jimmy THOUGHT he had it and was mortified that he didn’t.