Brad Nugent is one of us. A Virgin Islander that believes true leadership begins in service to others. He is ready to roll up his sleeves and work for all of us. Brad brings with him a new and innovative approach to solving problems. Over the next few months, let’s continue this discussion and create an agenda of empowerment that is real and based on common sense values. With your support, he will become a leader that inspires all residents of St. Croix to not just do more - but do it better.

This election year is a critical one. Our decisions will help determine if St. Croix finally begins to close the opportunity gap that continues to hold us back from economic prosperity and social harmony. Our community leaders and elected officials have spent much of your time repeatedly outlining what the problems are without listening to your ideas to fix them. Brad Nugent needs your help to change that.

Brad was born in Christiansted, St. Croix and spent his early years growing up in Estate Strawberry Hill. His parents, Wilbert and Alsia, raised seven children. His father, a former operations manager, at Martin Marietta (now St. Croix Renaissance) and his mother a homemaker taught Brad the true meaning of hard work and living by the Golden Rule.

Brad is a graduate of St. Croix Central High School and subsequently attended the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas. While working on campus to pay for his education, Brad got his first taste of elected politics. He ran several successful campaigns and was elected freshman senator, sophomore senator and once again, unopposed, to become a member of the UVI Board of Trustees. As an exchange student at State University of New York (Buffalo), Brad was an intern to Deputy Speaker Senator Arthur O. Eve. He returned to the Virgin Islands and completed his studies in Political Science and Pre-Law in 1999.

In 2003, Brad began his public service career as a Special Assistant to the Minority Leader of the 24th Virgin Islands Legislature. He served briefly as Special Assistant to Lieutenant Governor Gregory Francis and was previously the Chief Researcher for the Committee of Health, Hospitals and Human Services of the 25th Virgin Islands Legislature. In March 2007, Brad was appointed as the Assistant Commissioner of Tourism. As the Assistant Commissioner, Brad became part of a talented leadership team that helped turn the St. Croix tourism economy around for the first time in a decade. Having repaired strained private sector relationships, coordinating multi-agency teams, and rolling out a grassroots marketing campaign based on Crucian culture, Nugent helped lead the effort to significantly increase industry revenues.

Today, Brad is focused on creating an environment that encourages small businesses to expand, restoring fiscal accountability, lowering energy costs for St. Croix families and businesses, and making significant investments in health care and educational opportunities for our community.