As we gear up for the 2024 Senate elections, it’s crucial to know where each candidate stands on issues that matter most to our community. To keep you informed, The Source has compiled a list of key questions on pressing topics affecting the Virgin Islands. The answers below are from St. Thomas-St. John District Senator-at-Large incumbent Angel Bolques Jr.
Why are you running for office, what are your qualifications, and why should voters choose you?
I am running for office to continue my work for the people of the Virgin Islands, ensuring that our territory thrives economically, socially and culturally. With deep-rooted connections to all three islands — St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas — and extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, I bring a well-rounded approach to governance. As the current Senator at Large, I have a proven track record in legislative research, community advocacy and policy development. My work spans key areas such as education, digital transformation, cultural heritage, and law reforms.
One recent accomplishment is the passage of Bill No. 35-0031, the Child Victims’ and Child Witnesses’ Rights Act, which is slated to be signed into law and aims to provide protection and support for our youth. In addition, Act No. 8802 appropriated $2.5 million to purchase the Department of Labor building in St. Thomas, underscoring my commitment to reducing GVI rent dependency and strengthening government infrastructure. Another key legislative achievement is Act No. 8878, which increases the Motor Vehicle Rental Surcharge, providing additional funds to our treasury; this extra revenue directly benefits our territory by supporting infrastructure improvements, programs and services, and initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the Virgin Islands.
My efforts also include advocating for the modernization of our territory’s energy grid, as demonstrated by my facilitation of renewable energy initiatives like WAPA’s first Solar Battery Storage facility. In education, Act No. 8817 created a scholarship program to support youth pursuing careers in the maritime industry, broadening career paths for our young residents. Furthermore, the Safe Haven Newborn Protection Act, Act No. 8783, reflects my dedication to safeguarding the health of vulnerable populations in our community.
Voters should choose me because I have the experience, leadership, foresight and commitment to address our territory’s unique challenges with innovative and proactive solutions that foster economic growth, enhance public safety and improve the daily lives of Virgin Islanders.
How would you address the high cost of living in the territory and the lack of affordable housing?
Addressing the high cost of living and the lack of affordable housing requires a multi-pronged strategy and approach. I support initiatives that increase local food production and encourage sustainable practices, reducing our dependency on imports that drive up costs. For affordable housing, I plan to incentivize public-private partnerships to build developments that meet the needs of low- and middle-income residents. Zoning reforms, expanded homeownership programs for first-time buyers, and revitalizing existing infrastructure will also play key roles in making housing more accessible for Virgin Islanders.
How would you improve the territory’s electrical grid and implementation of renewable energy?
Modernizing our electrical grid and expanding renewable energy are crucial to sustainability and resilience. I am fully committed to making the necessary investments to ensure our grid is more reliable and better prepared for natural disasters. In April 2024, my office arranged and invited WAPA and the Director of Energy to attend the Eaton Energy launch of their Solar Battery Farm in Puerto Rico, a significant step in understanding how renewable energy projects can benefit the Virgin Islands. This event was the culmination of several meetings my office coordinated in the lead-up to the visit, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to more resilient and sustainable energy solutions for our territory
During the visit, alongside WAPA Governing Board Chair Kyle Fleming, we explored how similar projects can be implemented in the Virgin Islands. The Arecibo facility demonstrated the immense potential of microgrids to create a decentralized power system capable of operating autonomously during outages. With renewable energy integration, such as solar and battery storage, microgrids can provide a sustainable, efficient, and resilient energy solution for our territory. I remain committed to driving these innovations and upgrading our energy infrastructure. By promoting policies that support the development of renewable energy solutions, we can lower costs, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and position the Virgin Islands as a leader in sustainable energy in the Caribbean. WAPA has now opened its first Solar Battery Storage facility, a milestone in our push toward renewable energy, with plans to expand further and incorporate more advanced technologies in the near future.
What would you do to expedite or improve the territory’s disaster recovery, which has dragged on for seven years now?
We must streamline disaster recovery by ensuring better federal coordination and oversight to ensure funds are used effectively. I propose establishing a disaster recovery task force within our government that works closely with the Office of Disaster Recovery and the federal agencies to fast-track projects and resolve bottlenecks. Transparent communication between the government and residents will help clarify timelines and expectations during recovery efforts.
What reforms would you propose to ensure our children are receiving the public education that they deserve?
As a former teacher and a member of the Board of Education, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our schools face and the potential our students have. Education reform is critical to unlocking that potential. We must increase teacher salaries to attract and keep the best educators in our classrooms. I also believe we must modernize our curriculum, focusing on STEM and technological literacy so our students are prepared for the jobs of the future.
Vocational and technical training and education are just as important; students should have access to programs that provide practical skills for real-world careers. Act No. 8817, which creates an educational scholarship program to support individuals pursuing careers in the maritime industry, is a testament to my commitment to broadening opportunities for our youth in sectors vital to the Virgin Islands. By upgrading our school facilities and giving students the modern tools they need, we can improve the quality of education across the territory and set up future generations for success.
What are your solutions to address violent crime in the territory, especially among young men?
Preventing violent crime requires a balanced approach that includes proactive community programs and more vigorous law enforcement. We must invest in prevention and intervention services that address the root causes of crime, such as unemployment, lack of education, and limited opportunities for young people. Programs like the V.I. YouthBuild, which provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth, and the My Brother’s Workshop, which offers mentoring and vocational training, are critical in steering young people away from crime and towards positive futures.
I strongly support funding initiatives that provide mentorship, job training, and education to at-risk youth, keeping them engaged in meaningful activities that build their skills and confidence. Additionally, initiatives like the Virgin Islands Behavioral Health Integration Project offer vital intervention services for those dealing with mental health challenges, which can often be a factor in criminal behavior.
At the same time, strengthening our law enforcement agencies through better training and enhanced resources is essential to improving response times and overall crime prevention. Collaboration between local organizations, schools, and law enforcement — along with these prevention programs — is crucial in creating a safer community for everyone. By addressing the issues that lead to crime early on, we can create long-lasting solutions that benefit our young people and the entire Virgin Islands community.
How can the territory improve upon its tourism product while addressing growing concerns about over-tourism? Are we too reliant on cruise tourism and what can be done to bring more overnight visitors?
While cruise tourism remains a key part of our economy, we must diversify our offerings to attract more overnight visitors and extend their stays. Expanding beyond cruise tourism, we can focus on eco-tourism, cultural tourism, agri-tourism, and adventure tourism, each offering unique experiences that showcase the natural beauty and vibrant culture of the Virgin Islands. Eco-tourism, with activities like hiking, kayaking, and exploring our national parks, will appeal to nature lovers. Cultural tourism can highlight our rich history, music, festivals, and culinary traditions, giving visitors an authentic taste of our heritage.
I support incentives for developing boutique hotels, eco-lodges, vacation rentals, and even farm stays, providing visitors with various accommodation options that immerse them in the local experience. We can also promote wellness tourism, tapping into the trend of visitors seeking holistic retreats, spa experiences, and yoga sanctuaries. Developing markets like these attract travelers seeking more personalized and meaningful trips.
Through initiatives like Act No. 8841, which established an official dish and dessert for the Virgin Islands and celebrates our rich culinary heritage, also offering a taste of our culture and attracting food lovers, we can now build culinary tourism on the international level and expand on local food festivals, cooking experiences, and farm-to-table experiences.
In addition to promoting our unique culture and natural beauty, we must improve our infrastructure to accommodate extended stays. This includes enhancing transportation options, developing new attractions, and improving marketing efforts to highlight the diversity of experiences across St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. By expanding our tourism portfolio and ensuring high-quality accommodations, we can create a more sustainable and balanced tourism industry that benefits the entire territory and attracts more overnight visitors who contribute significantly to the local economy.
What would you propose to better support people dealing with mental illness, alcoholism, addiction, and homelessness?
Strengthening mental health services in the Virgin Islands is urgent. Right now, we really don’t have the facilities needed to adequately address mental health issues, alcoholism, addiction, and homelessness, leaving many residents without the critical support they need. This gap leads to a cycle of untreated conditions, often resulting in homelessness or criminal activity. To address this, I propose establishing more community-based health clinics and increasing the number of licensed mental health professionals. We also need to build new rehabilitation centers or partner with regional programs to ensure those struggling with addiction receive timely, specialized care.
In addition, I would push for affordable housing programs linked with mental health and addiction support, as well as job training to help people get back on their feet. We need to create emergency shelters that integrate these services to provide immediate relief and long-term stability for those already homeless.
Collaboration is key. By working closely with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and local government, we can create a network of care that offers real solutions and helps individuals heal, rebuild, and thrive.
What plans do you have to reestablish the libraries in the territory?
Libraries are essential for community connection and lifelong learning. We need to secure federal and private funding to modernize our libraries, turning them into digital learning centers that meet today’s needs. This would include better access to online resources, educational programs, and community workshops, making our libraries vibrant hubs of information and innovation.
On several occasions, I’ve donated books to our libraries and visited schools to read to children because I understand how critical these spaces are for fostering a love of reading and learning. It’s not just about upgrading technology — our libraries are important community spaces where people can unite, learn, and preserve our culture.
I’m committed to revitalizing these spaces so they continue to support lifelong learning and remain valuable resources for everyone in our community. By investing in our libraries, we’re investing in the future of the Virgin Islands.
How can we provide access to affordable healthcare for individuals and small businesses?
Affordable healthcare is one of my top priorities. I believe the key to making healthcare more accessible lies in expanding public-private partnerships to offer subsidized plans that serve both individuals and small businesses. This approach will help reduce costs while ensuring more people access quality care.
Through Act No. 8783, which established the Safe Haven Newborn Protection Act, I’ve shown my commitment to protecting the health of our most vulnerable residents. But we need to do more. By leveraging federal programs like Medicaid and exploring regional partnerships with other Caribbean nations, we can create more affordable insurance options tailored to the unique needs of the Virgin Islands.
Additionally, expanding telemedicine services is critical, especially for those in remote areas where access to care is limited. By embracing technology, we can ensure that more residents, regardless of location, receive timely medical attention without the burden of travel. My goal is to build a healthcare system that is accessible and sustainable for all residents of the Virgin Islands.
Please tell us about any of your other priorities for the territory that are not addressed in the questions above.
One of my key priorities is advancing technological infrastructure across the Virgin Islands, including cybersecurity. In today’s digital age, ensuring our systems are secure from cyber threats is vital for protecting government operations and private sector businesses. A robust and secure technological framework will improve government services, enhance business growth, and provide educational opportunities for our youth. My vision includes further development of digital services for residents, streamlining government processes, and creating opportunities for Virgin Islanders to work remotely within the global economy. Another primary focus is fostering food security by promoting sustainable agriculture and ensuring we have locally sourced food options. This approach would reduce our dependency on imports and boost our local economy. Finally, addressing environmental sustainability through policies that protect our natural resources while encouraging eco-friendly practices remains central to my agenda.
And finally, if you could have one superpower to move the V.I. forward, what would it be and why?
If I could have one superpower, it would be the ability to bring immediate unity and collaboration across all sectors of our community. This superpower would allow us to break down silos between government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and the people of the Virgin Islands, working together seamlessly to address our territory’s challenges. I believe that working together is the key to unlocking our full potential. Through unity and strong partnerships, we can more efficiently tackle economic development, healthcare, education, and housing issues. By fostering collaboration, we would maximize resources and ideas, propelling the Virgin Islands to a brighter and more prosperous future for all. As Nelson Mandela said, “It is in the power of unity that we can find true strength.”
Let’s move forward together, united in purpose. — Angel Bolques Jr., Senator at Large
