Adlah Donastorg Jr.
| Adlah Donastorg | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
30 December 1961 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater |
University of the Virgin Islands University of Phoenix Madison University |
Adlah Alphonso Donastorg, Jr. (born December 30, 1961) is a U.S. Virgin Islander politician, who served as a Senator in the Legislature of the Virgin Islands for seven terms from January 1995 through January 2011.[1] He was most recently a Democratic candidate for Governor of the United States Virgin Islands in the 2010 and the 2014 gubernatorial elections.[1]
Biography
Personal life
Donastorg was born on December 30, 1961 in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands to Josefina and Adlah Donastorg, Sr. He is the father of six children - Sean, Adlah, Vanessa, Erika, Adonte, and Amiel - and is married to Benedicta "Bennie" Acosta-Donastorg.
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] and served as Senator for seven terms through January 2011.[1]
Donastorg was previously a candidate for Governor of the U.S. 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.[2] 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.[2][3]
2010 trial
Donastorg was arrested on March 5, 2010, in Saint Croix, in connection with a January 2010 alleged assault.[4] He turned himself in at the request of investigators.[4]
Donastorg was charged with four counts of domestic violence, including two felony charges.[4] The charges were third-degree assault, using a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and brandishing a deadly weapon.[4] His accuser accused Donastorg of assault and threatening her with a gun.[4] However, the woman recanted her claims against Donastorg on March 9, four days after his arrest.[4]
Donastorg's lawyer accused the prosecution of political motivation, since the charges were filed during a gubernatorial election year.[4] The judge in the case agreed to allow expert testimony in the trial, which began on September 20, 2010.[4]
On September 23, 2010, a twelve-member jury found Donastorg not guilty and acquitted him of all charges.[5][6]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Simescu, Christian (2010-07-26). "Donastorg seeks Democratic line for governor". Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived from the original on 2010-08-22. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
- 1 2 Lewin, Aldeth (2010-09-13). "DeJongh-Francis victory leaves rivals with uncertain futures". Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived from the original on 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
- ↑ Pancham, Ananta (2010-09-12). "DeJongh-Francis Clinch Top Spots in Democratic Primary". St. John Source. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Smithen, Corliss (2010-08-06). "Judge sides with prosecution in Donastorg’s case". Virgin Islands Daily News. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- ↑ Smithen, Corliss (2010-09-24). "Donastorg found not guilty". Virgin Islands Daily News. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ↑ Kossler, Bill (2010-09-23). "Sen. Donastorg Acquitted on All Charges". St. Croix Source. Retrieved 2010-10-31.