Bolques Defends Record and Residency as Sewer Challenges Incumbent on Refinery, Ethics and Cost of Living in At-Large Debate

Incumbent Senator at Large Angel Bolques Jr. defended his legislative record, St. John residency and handling of an ethics investigation Thursday night as challenger Hadiya Sewer challenged his approach to government accountability, economic development and affordable housing during a debate presented by the V.I. Consortium and WTJX.

The candidates also outlined sharply different positions on reopening the St. Croix oil refinery, with Sewer rejecting a restart because of environmental and public health concerns and Bolques supporting reopening under appropriate safety protections. Their exchange was among several confrontations during the debate, which was recorded Wednesday, October 14, and aired Thursday, October 15, at 8 p.m.

Moderated by V.I. Consortium publisher Ernice Gilbert and WTJX journalist Marcelina Ventura Douglas, the program covered government revenue, energy costs, housing, transportation, healthcare, business opportunities and the candidates' qualifications to represent the territory. Neither candidate received the questions in advance.

Bolques, seeking reelection, asked voters to judge him by his legislative accomplishments. Sewer, a researcher, business owner and community advocate, argued that the territory needs a more comprehensive approach to economic development, environmental protection and government accountability.

Record and Revenue Generation

Asked to identify three initiatives that had produced measurable improvements for Virgin Islanders, Bolques pointed to the Safe Haven Act, the vehicle rental surcharge and legislation protecting child victims and witnesses in judicial proceedings.

He credited the Safe Haven Act with providing a lawful means for an infant to be relinquished to government care in February 2026. He also said the vehicle rental surcharge had generated approximately $4.2 million for the government, primarily from tourists rather than local working families. His child victim and witness legislation, he said, was intended to prevent children from being retraumatized by allowing measures such as video testimony.

Sewer proposed an heirs' property assistance program to help families retain and improve inherited land, along with agricultural investments and environmental initiatives aimed at protecting clean air and water. She identified federal housing, agricultural and environmental programs as potential funding sources.

Pressed to explain how she would pay for those initiatives, Sewer argued that the government should also examine its existing budget priorities, contrasting a previously appropriated $6 million for agriculture with approximately $24 million for the Legislature.

The candidates were also asked how they would generate revenue without imposing new taxes on residents and small businesses, against the backdrop of a projected government deficit approaching $59 million.

Sewer proposed collecting outstanding money owed to the government and developing industries centered on the South Shore, including marine services, light manufacturing, environmental technology and professional services that could be exported beyond the territory.

Bolques proposed expanding the existing vehicle rental surcharge to include motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and UTVs. He also cited his efforts to have Congress modernize the Caribbean Basin Initiative, which he said needed to accommodate technological advancement and new manufacturing opportunities.

Sewer challenged the practical effect of that initiative, noting that a resolution urging congressional action would not itself change federal law or create immediate economic benefits.

Residency and St. John Representation

Questions surrounding Bolques's residency on St. John produced another direct exchange. Although the at-large senator is elected by voters throughout the territory, the office carries a St. John residency requirement.

Asked whether he actually lived on St. John and traveled regularly by ferry to conduct business on other islands, Bolques said he was a certified bona fide resident and emphasized his family's multigenerational ties to the island. He acknowledged that he did not take the ferry every day, explaining that the position required him to travel throughout the Virgin Islands.

When Gilbert pressed him to state directly whether he maintained a home and stayed on St. John, Bolques answered that it was his residence.

Sewer said she considered the criticisms of his physical presence valid, arguing that bona fide residency involved more than maintaining an address. She questioned whether the incumbent regularly returned to St. John to sleep and how his presence affected constituents' access to their representative.

Bolques rejected suggestions that his travel diminished his residency, insisting that he lived in the Virgin Islands, not elsewhere, and represented residents of St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island.

Ethics Investigation Revisited

The debate also revisited the 2025 legislative ethics investigation that resulted in Bolques receiving a formal reprimand and an unpaid suspension following a no-contest plea to a violation of his oath of office.

Asked what responsibility he accepted, particularly concerning an unsubstantiated accusation of payroll fraud against an employee, Bolques responded, "Allegations and complaints do not constitute guilt."

He said the matter had been investigated and argued that he would have been removed from office if the findings had warranted that outcome. He then pointed to his continued legislative work.

Sewer raised the fact that more serious sexual harassment allegations had been excluded from the ethics proceeding because of the Legislature's filing deadlines. She called for independent investigations and stronger ethics requirements so that senators would not be responsible for deciding disciplinary matters involving their colleagues.

Bolques rejected the sexual harassment allegations, stating, "There was no sexual harassment. I dispute any sexual harassment allegations. Thank you."

The Legislature's adopted resolution imposed a 30-working-day suspension without pay, with 15 days held in abeyance, and a formal reprimand. The no-contest agreement addressed an oath-of-office violation involving financial mismanagement and improper treatment of staff. The sexual harassment allegations were not adjudicated.

Sharp Divide on St. Croix Refinery 

One of the clearest policy differences emerged when Sewer was asked whether she supported reopening the St. Croix refinery, which Port Hamilton is targeting for a possible 2027 restart.

Her answer was unequivocal: "No."

Sewer cited the refinery's history of financial losses and the environmental and public health risks associated with oil processing. She argued that projected employment figures did not establish that another restart would succeed or justify the burdens that nearby communities could face.

When asked how St. Croix could replace the well-paying jobs associated with refining, Sewer said the territory could begin creating environmental, digital services and light manufacturing employment within 12 to 24 months. She proposed legislative changes to encourage remote work and attract technology companies.

Gilbert pressed her repeatedly for a concrete plan showing where those jobs would come from and whether their wages would match those available through the refinery. Sewer pointed to the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park and opportunities to attract or expand businesses, but did not identify committed projects expected to produce comparable employment within her proposed timeline.

Bolques supported reopening the refinery with environmental safeguards. He argued that any weakening of federal standards would not prevent the Virgin Islands from imposing stronger local protections.

"The refinery has to be opened safely with all environmental protections intact," he said.

WAPA and Energy Costs 

On electricity, Sewer proposed strengthening enforcement of the WAPA ratepayer bill of rights, particularly for customers disputing estimated bills or damage to appliances. She also advocated legislation allowing communities to own cooperative energy generation and storage systems that could connect to WAPA's distribution network.

Bolques emphasized fuel costs and the benefits of diversifying electricity generation. He also argued that an operating refinery could potentially support a local fuel supply arrangement that would help address costs.

The exchange took place amid renewed concerns about the territory's electricity rates and the cost of supplying power to residents and businesses.

Housing, Land and Healthcare on St. John

Affordable housing was another major focus, with Sewer proposing the acquisition of existing properties and changes to government assistance programs to reflect St. John's limited land availability and high real estate prices.

She argued that housing vacancies and seasonal ownership should be considered alongside new construction. Existing land-purchase assistance programs, she said, offered amounts that were inadequate for the island's real estate market.

Asked about funding, Sewer acknowledged that federal housing restrictions had altered some of the assumptions underlying her platform, requiring her to revisit available financing options.

Bolques advocated partnerships with major landowners, affordable workforce housing, smaller homes and less expensive building methods. He maintained that existing housing assistance funds could support projects if private property owners were willing to participate.

Sewer responded that even modest homes on St. John could attract construction estimates of $600,000 to $700,000. She called for measures to increase the number of contractors and address bonding and insurance costs that limit competition.

Both candidates also addressed the lack of birthing facilities on St. John.

Bolques proposed legislation supporting midwife training through the Department of Health and the University of the Virgin Islands, along with expanded medical infrastructure. Sewer supported licensed midwifery services but also advocated a dedicated birthing center for mothers who cannot safely give birth at home.

Both identified public-private partnerships and institutional relationships as potential funding options.

Ferry Ownership and Ridesharing 

Sewer faced questions about her ownership interest in Love City Car Ferries, which has raised vehicle transportation fares amid increases in operating costs and port fees.

She said she held a minority interest in the company as one of four children of its owners and pledged to recuse herself from Senate decisions directly involving Love City Car Ferries.

Bolques challenged the timing of some fare increases, arguing that the company had raised prices before a scheduled increase in V.I. Port Authority charges took effect. Sewer said the adjustments followed announced fee increases and reflected the company's need to prepare for higher expenses.

The candidates also discussed efforts to legalize ridesharing services alongside the existing taxi industry.

Bolques said his proposed legislation, nearly 100 pages long, had been awaiting legal review since approximately December 2025. He described proposed restrictions on rideshare pickups at airports and seaports, protections for taxis and provisions involving taxi medallions.

He could not give a firm date for the legislation's introduction, saying further consultation with stakeholders would follow legal review.

Sewer said she broadly supported ridesharing but wanted a detailed economic assessment of its potential impact on taxi operators before endorsing a particular regulatory structure.

Elected Attorney General and Local Business Preferences 

On whether the Virgin Islands should elect its attorney general, Sewer supported giving voters direct authority over the office, arguing that doing so could strengthen independence from the executive branch.

Bolques, who opposed an earlier legislative measure seeking congressional action on the matter, said he was not against an elected attorney general in principle. He argued that the earlier proposal was premature because the Sixth Constitutional Convention was addressing the territory's governing framework.

The candidates also differed over Sewer's proposal to create a designation for locally owned Virgin Islands businesses that could help those firms compete for government contracts.

Sewer said possible eligibility criteria could include the owners' length of residency, their educational ties to the territory and the proportion of local workers employed. She said the exact standards would require consultation with businesses and community stakeholders.

Bolques said procurement decisions should prioritize companies capable of completing the work while complying with local licensing and other requirements. He also raised concerns about constitutional limits on giving preferences to particular groups.

Candidates Challenge Each Other

During the candidate-to-candidate segment, Sewer questioned Bolques about the Marine Scholarship Fund and why the Legislature had not pursued stronger financial partnerships with marine industry companies.

Bolques said the Legislature had appropriated money for the program but that funds were not transferred as intended through the Office of Management and Budget. He said the fund had been provided for again in the latest budget.

When Sewer questioned the scholarship's reach, Bolques clarified that approximately 14 to 15 students had applied, rather than received awards.

Bolques, in turn, asked Sewer to identify tangible contributions she had made to the territory.

She cited cultural exhibitions, community programming, historical research and preservation through the Virgin Islands Studies Collective and the St. John Heritage Collective. She also said her involvement in transportation, real estate and other businesses had contributed to employment in the territory.

In their closing remarks, Bolques again urged voters to examine his legislative record, while Sewer appealed for support based on her research, community advocacy and goal of enabling Virgin Islanders to live well at home.

The general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. An encore presentation of the debate is scheduled for Sunday, October 18, at 3 p.m. on WTJX Channel 12.