USVI Senator-at-Large-elect, Carmen Wesselhoft

Barshinger, who has lived on St John for approximately 20 years, received 11,918 votes, with Wesselhoft garnering a total of 14,482.

As required by USVI law to hold that office, Wesselhoft also lives on St John.

After the votes were tallied Barshinger made his way to a parking lot area in Cruz Bay where a crowd was gathered, near the campaign headquarters of gubernatorial candidate John deJongh to offer his congratulations to Wesselhoft and shake her hand.

Several of Barshinger's public remarks indicated he was quite surprised by this turn of election events. He was not available to provide information about his plans following the conclusion of his term of office.

Many USVI residents had never heard of Carmen Wesselhoft before her decision to run in this election, nor has she ever held public office.

Citizens did not have an opportunity to hear the candidates debate. The first scheduled debate was cancelled due to weather conditions. Both the second and third scheduled debates were cancelled, with Caribbean Net News receiving conflicting points of view from the candidates, or their representatives, as to why the debates were not held.

Wesselhoft campaigned extensively on each USVI island, and was assisted in her bid by a well known St John relative who is also a marketing expert. Her on-air announcements reflected a platform of  "respect for the office of Senator-at-Large... and respect for the culture of (USVI) people."

Barshinger participated in campaign-related activities for candidates for other offices, including the gubernatorial debates. He addressed crowds and answered questions at almost all, if not all forums he was invited to attend.

Throughout the campaign Barshinger continued to focus on the duties of his office, in one instance being physically "thrown off" a public ferry while reportedly trying to rush to the St Thomas Legislative Building for a significant health care vote wherein he paid a key role as chair of that particular committee.

Barshinger was reportedly pulled from the ferry because, as was his usual custom, he preferred to carry his suit jacket on a hanger during the brief ferry ride.  Barshinger said after he finally agreed to pay an additional fee for the suit jacket (a requirement for items that ferry workers must handle, and place in a separate area on the ferry) no one was willing to accept it.

Instead, ferry boat workers physically removed Barshsinger before he could de-board. Barshinger routinely carried his suit jacket on the return ferry from St Thomas without incident. Barshinger had held the Senator-at-Large seat for one term.

True to her career path to date, Wesselhoft intends to have a strong initial focus on children. When asked what led to her decision to seek the office of Senator-at-Large, Wesselhoft said, "I have lived my entire life time in the Virgin Islands and I have seen many dynamic changes during this time. In my opinion some of them have been not so good."

"I have deep concerns about the future of the islands -- and I worry about my daughter's future and the future of all the children here... this is probably my greatest inspiration and motivation to run for the at-Large seat," she added.

With her home island in mind, Wesselhoft said, "I have particular interest in improving health care on St John -- specifically the area of dialysis care."

With reference to the island of St Croix, the new senator said," I hope to focus most of my attention to the pursuit of varied economic development opportunities there."

Wesselhoft said she plans to hold a series of townhall meetings on each island to hear from her constituents "as to what they want from me, their elected representative."