Trump And Cruz Fall Short In Virgin Islands As Yob Scores Major Win

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Ted Cruz and Donald Trump tried to win delegates from the Virgin Islands recently, but John Yob had other plans.

Yob, a political consultant and author of a recent book on how to plan for a contested convention in Cleveland, led a successful slate and was the top vote getter in last week's U.S. Virgin Islands election. His book is receiving significant interest in light of this year's hotly contested GOP Primary...

The delegates in play, all elected to the convention in Cleveland, didn't go to any candidate though...

According to the Washington Post:

"Six delegates were up for grabs in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Thursday. None of them went to one of the four Republican candidates still running for president. In a surprise that sneaked up on every campaign, Republican strategists who were uncommitted to any candidate swept the contest, led by the (formerly) northern Michigan-based strategist John Yob and his wife.

“We have been coming to the Virgin Islands for a very long time and last year finally made it our home,” said Yob in a triumphant Friday morning statement. “Our children absolutely love their school and we are thankful to the vast majority of Virgin Islanders who have welcomed us to the community. It is important to encourage more families and job creators to travel to the Virgin Islands, experience paradise, and consider making it your home as well!”

It wasn’t as if Republican candidates ignored this vote. Several campaigns made pushes into the Virgin Islands and Guam, territories that send delegations to the national convention. Rafael Cruz, the pastor father of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), stumped in the Virgin Islands to win over voters."

Holland Redfield is the RNC Committeeman for the Virgin Islands. He praised Yob's win.

"I wasn't surprised," Redfield said. "He worked very hard on getting elected. He's been very helpful to the Republican Party in the Virgin Islands, I think people recognize that. Not a long time resident-but a resident-and he's making an impact."

Redfield

Redfield says voting uncommitted is in the best interest of the Virgin Islands.

"It gives us maximum influence for the people of the USVI," Redfield said. "It puts us in the driver's seat."

Redfield has been a longtime RNC member and previously served in the Virgin Islands legislature. Redfield interviewed Yob on his radio show earlier this week about his book, .

The book, is available HERE.

Yob issued a statement on his win.

"We have been coming to the Virgin Islands for a very long time and last year finally made it our home. Our children absolutely love their school and we are thankful to the vast majority of Virgin Islanders who have welcomed us to the community. It is important to encourage more families and job creators to travel to the Virgin Islands, experience paradise, and consider making it your home as well!

I was honored to be selected as a national convention delegate and look forward to participating in what is sure to be a very exciting convention in Cleveland.  I would also like to congratulate my wife Erica and fellow uncommitted delegates Gwen Brady, Warren B Cole, George Logan, and Lindsey Eilon on their selections.

Uncommitted delegates are free agents at the convention and able to support the candidate of our choice on the 1st ballot and on important matters such as Rule 40(b) ballot access.  This gives the Virgin Islands tremendous relevance at the national convention and uniting behind our delegation and party leaders is critical.

The results showed tremendous increase in the number of Republicans participating in the caucuses and the USVI GOP should be very proud of their efforts to grow the party."

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'Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson