Adlah Donastorg Jr.

Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg Jr. (born December 30, 1962) is a U.S. Virgin Islander politician, who has served as a Senator in the Legislature of the Virgin Islands since January 1995.[1] He was most recently a Democratic candidate for Governor of the United States Virgin Islands in the 2010 gubernatorial election.[1]

Contents

Biography

Personal life

Donastorg was born on December 20, 1962, to parents, Josefina and Adlah Donastorg, Sr. He is married to Benedicta “Bennie” (née Acosta) Donastorg and resides in Estate Wintberg.[2] The couple have six children - Sean, Adlah, Vanessa, Erika, Adonte and Amiel.

Political career

Donastorg was first elected to the U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature in 1994. He took office as a Senator in January 1995 at the beginning of the 21st Legislature.[1] He has held that particular office for seven terms, as of 2010.[1]

Donastorg was previously a candidate for Governor of the Virgin Islands in 2006 as an Independent. His running mate for Lieutenant Governor was Dr. Cora Christian.[1] However, Donastorg was defeated in the general election by John de Jongh, who won the 2006 gubernatorial election.[1]

On July 25, 2010, Adlah Donastorg announced his candidacy for Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the upcoming 2010 gubernatorial election.[1] He announced his intention to challenge incumbent Governor John de Jongh in the Democratic primary on September 11, 2010.[1] Donastorg, in his candidacy speech at the Estate La Grande Princesse, chose his running mate, Samuel Baptiste.[1]

Donastorg pledged to focus on crime reduction. He challenged Governor de Jongh to three debates.[1]

In the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial primary election, Donastorg was defeated by incumbent Governor John de Jongh.[3] Governor de Jongh received 7,487 votes, or 53% of the vote, while Donastorg and Baptiste came in second place with 4,300 votes in the primary.[3][4]

Donastorg's defeat in the primary means that he will leave the Legislature at the end of his current term in January 2011 after seven terms in office.[3] When asked if he will endorse Governor de Jongh for re-election, Donastorg responded, "I'm going on vacation."[3] He also stated that he plans to re-enter the private sector once he leaves office in 2011, "I’m still in the Senate until January, after that I’m going back into the private sector."[3]

2010 arrest

Donastorg was arrested on March 5, 2010, in Saint Croix, in connection with a January 2010 alleged assault on a 19-year old woman.[2] He turned himself in at the request of investiagtors.[2]

Donastorg was charged with four counts of domestic violence, including two felony charges.[2] The charges were third-degree assault, using a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and brandishing a deadly weapon.[2] His accuser, a 19-year old woman, identified as "Ms. K.E." in documents, accused Donastorg of assault and threatening her with a gun.[2] However, the woman recanted her claims against Donastorg on March 9, four days after his arrest.[2]

Donastorg's lawyer accused the prosecution of political motivation, since the charges were filed during a gubernatorial election year.[2] The judge in the case agreed to allow expert testimony in the trial, which began on September 20, 2010.[2]

On September 23, 2010, a twelve member jury found Donastorg not guilty and acquitted him of all charges.[5][6]

References