'Yes, I still plan to continue'- Shaina M. Smith-Archer on contesting elections
Smith-Archer ran unsuccessfully on the newly formed Progressives Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) ticket in the last General Election held in 2019.
While she did not say which party she hopes to be affiliated with, she told the host of the Cut Deep Show on February 22, 2022, Rosemary Cindy Rosan, that she is definitely running again.
'I don’t believe in sitting on sidelines & complaining'
“Yes, I still plan to continue. It is something that I do want to continue to pursue, I’ve told people it is not an easy road and if I had an option I would groom somebody else to pursue it but I am like no I am still not seeing my country where I want it and I am the type of person that believes if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.”
She added: “So I don’t believe in sitting on the sidelines and complaining, it is something where if I can help in a particular area then I am going to get involved. Sacrifice is definitely part of it, people believe politics is all glamour and glitz but it is so much far from it. So if I can help and be part of the solution then that is my main motivator I would say for this time around in terms of where we are as a country.”
Mrs Smith-Archer also informed that her decision is also partly due to the encouragement from the people of the Virgin Islands.
Political background
She first ran in 2011 as an At Large Representative candidate with the People’s Patriotic Alliance (PPA).
Then in 2015, she moved to the National Democratic Party (NDP) and again contested the election as a candidate for the first district.
Her third unsuccessful attempt was in 2019 when she again switched parties and ran with the Progressives Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) as an At Large Representative candidate.
3rd person to declare
Mrs Smith-Archer is the third person to announce plans to contest the General Elections constitutionally due by May 2023.
The others are Lesmore Smith and Bevin S. George.
Mr Smith said he will be running for office with the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), while Mr George claimed he is not affiliated with any party right now but hopes to get on the National Democratic Party (NDP) ticket.
27 Responses to “'Yes, I still plan to continue'- Shaina M. Smith-Archer on contesting elections”
I believed there are rich boldness in her bones. Go for it.
running for elections is more than popping out of bed, and deciding to run. you need to be visible and ACTIVE throughout the community. you cant expect people to take you seriously, when you havnt made yourself known. Come on man !!!!! Im anti VIP, but give me something to be pro independant
Best wishes to you.