Former three-term senator Janelle K. Sarauw has won the race for Delegate to Congress in the U.S. Virgin Islands, securing 13,029 votes, or nearly 77 per cent, according to unofficial election returns.

Sarauw defeated independent candidate Shelley A. H. Moorhead, whose challenge ended in a decisive victory for the former senator.

The result marks Sarauw’s return to public office and sends her to Washington to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands in the United States Congress.

Her victory comes as Stacey Plaskett, the territory’s current Delegate to Congress, prepares to assume the governorship, creating a transition in two of the territory’s most prominent political offices.

Sarauw’s victory follows a strong early voting performance, during which she secured 8,243 votes compared with Moorhead’s 2,060 — an early voting margin of 6,183 votes.

Early voting participation was also significant, with 12,242 Virgin Islanders casting ballots before Election Day, representing approximately 38 per cent of active registered voters.

The final figures remain unofficial pending certification.