Nov. 12, 2008 — Though this year's election results have not yet been finalized, the unofficial winners of the territory's Senate race have been meeting to put together a majority caucus, with Sen.-elect Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg as Senate president and Sen. Neville James as majority leader, according to uncomfirmed initial reports out of the Legislature.
Donastorg's position as senate president sets the stage for a nine-member Democratic majority, with Sen.- elect Michael Thurland as vice president and newcomer Sammuel Sanes as secretary, according to various sources. The organization of the 28th Legislature was the topic of conversation around St. Thomas Wednesday, even picking up some discussion time during a late-afternoon Public Services Commission meeting.
"We'll be putting out a statement next week on the formation of the legislative majority," Donastorg said Wednesday evening. Though he would not confirm whether he had accepted the president's seat, Donastorg did add that the various candidates have been meeting "since shortly after" the Nov. 4 General Election.
Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone, the sitting Senate vice president, had been offered the president's seat, but turned it down, according to various sources, who added that Malone's desire to form a coalition that included non-Democratic Party members was not welcomed by other members of the prospective caucus. Malone could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Sen. Neville James is expected to take over as the Senate's majority leader, replacing Sen. Celestino A. White Sr., who has held the seat for the past two years.
"We will be putting out an official statement about the formation of the majority," Neville James said Wednesday, when asked whether he had been tapped for the position. "I can say that there is significant truth in those reports, but nothing official will be sent out until Monday."
Sanes is also expected to double as the chair of the Senate's Committee on Labor, while Sen. Louis P. Hill will take over the Finance Committee, according to the reports. Sen. Alvin L. Williams will stay put as chair of the Senate's Committee on Planning and Environmental Protection, while Sen.-elect Craig W. Barshinger — who will take over the senator-at-large seat — is expected to head a new committee on Economic Development and Energy.
Rounding out the nine-member majority is newcomer Wayne James out of St. Croix and Patrick Simeon Sprauve, who was recently tapped by the Democratic Party to finish out the term of former Sen. Basil Ottley Jr., who resigned a few months ago.
However, if the organization process is anything like it's been in past years, the formation of the caucus could change several times over the next few months. Members of the 28th Legislature will take their oaths of office in early January.
Speaking at a Rotary Club meeting Tuesday, Gov. John deJongh Jr. said that how his administration is able to work with the Legislature over the next two years will help to shape the territory's relationship with the federal government. (See "Governor Details How Changes in Washington Will Affect Territory.")
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
