Senate Nominee
Angel L. Bolques Jr.
At-Large District (Incumbent)
Senator At-Large serving St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Water Island — a lifelong Virgin Islander whose public service brings together experience in hospitality, education, government administration, legislative research, business, and community organizations.
← All 2026 nomineesEarly Life & Education
Born on St. Croix, raised on St. John, and having worked most of his career on St. Thomas, Senator At-Large Angel L. Bolques Jr.'s life and career reflect a deep connection to the territory he represents.
Bolques spent his early childhood in the Peters Rest neighborhood of St. Croix. His education began at Lew Muckle Elementary School before he moved to St. John at age seven. There, he attended Guy Benjamin Elementary School in Coral Bay and Julius E. Sprauve School in Cruz Bay. He later traveled by ferry to St. Thomas to complete high school at Ivanna Eudora Kean. The son of Angel L. Bolques Sr. and Patricia Powell, he grew up with family ties and cultural influences rooted in both the Virgin Islands and its Puerto Crucian community.
Before entering the Senate, Bolques worked at Gifft Hill School on St. John, where his responsibilities included administrative duties, teaching computer technology and Spanish, and coaching boys' and girls' junior high and high school basketball. His professional background also includes revenue management, purchasing and inventory control, and graphic design. He pursued studies in business administration and graphic arts, along with professional development training, and his official legislative biography records his recognition as the 2016 Government Employee of the Year.
Government & Community Service
His government experience includes service as an administrative assistant to the Board of Elections and as a legislative researcher and public liaison in the office of Senator Marvin A. Blyden. He also served on the Virgin Islands Board of Education, chairing its Public/Private Liaison Committee and participating in committees addressing school facilities, professional staff certification, and higher education. These roles provided experience in education policy, public administration, and community engagement before he became a senator.
Bolques' community involvement has included Community Action NOW, RAS Events Inc., cultural organizations, and Democratic clubs. He has also served as a national committeeman for the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands. Beyond government, his background includes graphic arts and music. These experiences contribute to his longstanding interest in cultural expression and opportunities for young people.
Legislative Service
On July 25, 2022, Bolques was sworn in as Senator At-Large in the 34th Legislature after being appointed to fill a vacancy. He subsequently won election to the 35th Legislature in 2022 and reelection to the 36th Legislature in 2024. In the 36th Legislature, he chairs the Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks and serves as vice chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture. He also serves on committees responsible for disaster recovery and infrastructure, homeland security and public safety, and rules and judiciary.
Protecting Children & Elders
His legislative work includes protections for children, support for elders, educational opportunity, and investments in public services. Among the laws identified in his official record are Act No. 8798, the Safe Haven Newborn Protection Act; Act No. 8923, the Child Victims' and Child Witnesses' Rights Act; and Act No. 8952, establishing school speed zones and related enforcement measures. These initiatives address newborn safety, children's treatment within the justice system, and pedestrian safety near schools.
Bolques has worked with AARP Virgin Islands and other partners to strengthen protections against elder abuse. He helped advance the legislation enacted as Act No. 9051, expanding the Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Act, and was elected secretary during the Commission on Aging's initial leadership selection in 2024. His work also includes Act No. 8690, allowing eligible retirees to return to government service through temporary or contractual employment without harming their retirement status or annuities.
Education, Culture & Workforce Development
Education and workforce development are reflected in his sponsorship of the maritime scholarship initiative that became Act No. 8817. On St. Croix, he helped advance the equestrian training facility at Estate Body Slob through collaboration with fellow legislators, the administration, and project partners. The initiative connects horsemanship with youth development and potential career pathways. His cultural legislation also includes Act No. 8841, recognizing an official dish and dessert for the Virgin Islands.
Investing in Infrastructure
His infrastructure record includes Act No. 8696, providing $600,000 for St. John fire trucks and $250,000 for the second phase of the Cruz Bay playground, and Act No. 8898, appropriating $2.5 million for Johnny Horn Road repairs. He was the primary sponsor of Act No. 9091, appropriating $2.1 million to WAPA for repair or replacement of the submarine electrical transmission cables serving St. John. These measures direct funding toward emergency response, recreation, road access, and electrical reliability.
Continuing the Work
Bolques also sponsored the measure supporting the Department of Labor's St. Thomas building acquisition, funded through Act No. 8802, and was the primary sponsor of Act No. 9087, establishing tax amnesty through qualifying penalty and interest waivers. His committee work has examined long-term care, sports facilities, and delayed public projects, including the Paul E. Joseph Stadium. His youth agenda includes public discussions on mental health, school attendance, chronic absenteeism, and truancy, bringing agencies, educators, service providers, and families into the conversation.
Through legislation, oversight, and community engagement, Senator Bolques continues to focus on the needs of Virgin Islanders across the territory. His priorities include education, public safety, affordable housing, economic development, cultural preservation, and the well-being of young people and elders. His goal is to help build a Virgin Islands where residents can pursue opportunity, receive essential services, and participate in shaping the future of their communities.