ST. CROIX, U.S.V.I. — Former Senator Samuel “Sam” Carrión today officially announced his candidacy for the St. Croix District in the upcoming election for the 37th Legislature of the Virgin Islands. Carrión is launching his campaign to return to public service, emphasizing that there is still much critical work to be done.
During his previous two terms in the 34th and 35th Legislatures, Carrión built a reputation as a productive and thoughtful lawmaker. His legislative record features landmark achievements, including establishing the Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas, providing downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers, expanding bilingual education, creating free tuition opportunities for part-time college students, mandating public record digitization, and working to stabilize the Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS).
“My commitment to the people of St. Croix and the wider Virgin Islands has never wavered,” Carrión stated. “While my time away from the Senate floor allowed me to engage with our community from a different perspective, it also highlighted how urgent our challenges remain. Our people deserve proactive, common-sense leadership. I am ready to return to the Legislature to do the heavy lifting required to move the Virgin Islands forward.”
Carrión’s legislative priorities will center on revitalizing economic development, supporting local non-profit organizations, strengthening government transparency, enhancing public safety, and enforcing strict oversight on long-delayed federal recovery projects.
“I also remain especially concerned about the state of healthcare, energy, and our schools,” he said. “I currently have children in our public school system and, while there are certainly many good things happening, our students and teachers deserve better. And we must take a look at how a public private partnership with a hospital on the mainland could better support our health care services available in the Virgin Islands. I am one of the many in our community whose family members have sought care offisland. It is extremely challenging.”
Carrión said there is a great deal at stake right now given the territory’s ongoing recovery efforts coupled with drastic policy shifts within the federal government.
“We must position ourselves to be more self-sufficient while maximizing the assistance we receive,” he said. “I also believe we can create new economic opportunities by forming strategic relationships within the wider region to truly move the territory forward. My mission remains
‘Progress for All.’”
A St. Croix native, entrepreneur, and community advocate, Carrión remains deeply committed to fostering sustainable economic growth, preserving local culture, and improving the quality of life for all Virgin Islanders.