Stacey Reschenthaler

Stacey Plaskett
Official portrait, 2019
Stacey Plaskett
Born	Stacey Elizabeth Plaskett 13 5, 1966
Birthplace	New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Known for	Delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the United States Virgin Islands' at-large congressional district; House manager during the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump
Education	Georgetown University (BS) American University (JD)
Spouse(s)	Jonathan Buckney-Small
Children	5
Website	[https://plaskett.house.gov/ Official site]

Stacey Elizabeth Plaskett (born May 13, 1966) is an American politician and attorney who has served since January 3, 2015, as the delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the United States Virgin Islands' at-large congressional district. Born and raised in New York City, Plaskett built a career in law that spanned private practice and government service before entering electoral politics in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She practiced law in New York City, Washington, D.C., and the Virgin Islands, and served in the Department of Justice's Civil Division during the administration of President George W. Bush. Originally a member of the Republican Party, she switched to the Democratic Party in late 2008. Plaskett gained national prominence when she served as one of the impeachment managers during the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump in 2021, becoming the first non-voting member of the House of Representatives to serve in that role. As delegate, she represents the approximately 100,000 residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands in Congress, though, like other territorial delegates, she cannot vote on final passage of legislation on the House floor. She succeeded Donna Christensen, who had held the seat since 2009.

Early Life

Stacey Elizabeth Plaskett was born on May 13, 1966, in New York City, New York. She grew up in New York with ties to the United States Virgin Islands, a connection that would later draw her to seek political office in the territory. Details regarding her parents, siblings, and the specific neighborhood in which she was raised have been documented in limited public sources. Her upbringing in New York City exposed her to a diverse urban environment, and her family's Caribbean heritage maintained a strong connection to the Virgin Islands throughout her formative years.

Plaskett's early life in New York shaped her interest in law and public service. The cultural and political landscape of New York City during the 1970s and 1980s provided a backdrop for her developing awareness of civic engagement and the legal system. Her path from a New York City upbringing to representing a U.S. territory in Congress reflects the deep personal and familial connections between the Caribbean diaspora communities in the mainland United States and the Virgin Islands.

Education

Plaskett pursued her undergraduate education at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Her time at Georgetown placed her in the heart of the nation's capital and provided her with a foundation in the liberal arts and public policy that would inform her later legal and political career. Georgetown University later recognized her achievements through its alumni programs, honoring her with the Samuel Halsey Jr. Citizenship Award.

After completing her undergraduate studies, Plaskett attended American University's Washington College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree. Her legal education at American University equipped her with the training necessary for the multifaceted legal career she would build across several jurisdictions. The combination of her Georgetown undergraduate education and her American University law degree provided a strong academic foundation rooted in the Washington, D.C., policy and legal community.

Georgetown University's alumni publication The Hoya later noted Plaskett among the university's alumni who sought congressional seats, underscoring the institution's role in producing public servants.

Career

Legal Career and Government Service

Following her legal education, Plaskett built a career in law that spanned multiple jurisdictions. She practiced law in New York City, Washington, D.C., and the United States Virgin Islands, gaining experience across diverse areas of legal practice. Her work in these different legal markets gave her a broad perspective on federal, state, and territorial law.

Plaskett's career in government service included a significant appointment during the administration of President George W. Bush. She was appointed to serve in the Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice, one of the department's largest litigating divisions, which is responsible for defending the interests of the United States in civil litigation. At the time, Plaskett was a member of the Republican Party, and her appointment reflected her standing within Republican legal circles during the Bush administration. Her tenure at the Department of Justice provided her with firsthand experience in federal governance and the workings of the executive branch.

In late 2008, Plaskett switched her party affiliation from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party. She stated that she made the transition because she believed the Democratic Party was a better place to have new ideas heard. This party switch preceded her entry into electoral politics in the U.S. Virgin Islands and positioned her within the political framework that would support her subsequent congressional campaigns.

Entry into Electoral Politics

In November 2013, Plaskett announced her candidacy for the position of delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the U.S. Virgin Islands' at-large congressional district. The seat was being vacated by Donna Christensen, who had served as the territory's delegate since 2009. Plaskett entered the race as a Democrat, competing in what would prove to be a contested primary and general election cycle.

Plaskett advanced through the Democratic primary election in the U.S. Virgin Islands, securing her party's nomination. She then went on to win the 2014 general election, earning the right to represent the territory in Congress. She assumed office on January 3, 2015, succeeding Christensen as the Virgin Islands' representative in the House.

Service in the U.S. House of Representatives

As the delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Plaskett represents the territory's approximately 100,000 residents in the United States House of Representatives. Like other territorial delegates, she serves as a non-voting member of the House, meaning she can participate in debate, serve on committees, and vote in committee proceedings, but cannot cast votes on final passage of legislation on the House floor. Despite this limitation, the delegate position carries significant influence in advocating for the territory's interests in federal policy, appropriations, and legislation.

Plaskett has been reelected to the position in subsequent election cycles, maintaining her seat through multiple terms. The 2016 general election results confirmed her continued tenure as the territory's delegate.

During her time in Congress, Plaskett has been a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. She has also been involved in the Citizens' Climate Lobby's bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, reflecting an interest in environmental and climate policy. These caucus memberships indicate her engagement with issues of racial equity, environmental sustainability, and bipartisan legislative cooperation.

Plaskett's official congressional website serves as the primary portal for her legislative activities, constituent services, and policy positions. Her campaign activities have been conducted through her official campaign organization, as documented by the Federal Election Commission.

Second Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump

Plaskett gained national and international attention in February 2021 when she was selected as one of the nine impeachment managers for the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump. The House managers served as prosecutors in the Senate trial, presenting the case against the former president following his impeachment by the House of Representatives on a charge of incitement of insurrection related to the January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol.

Plaskett's selection was historically significant: she became the first non-voting member of the House of Representatives ever to serve as an impeachment manager. As a delegate, she could not vote on the article of impeachment on the House floor, yet she was entrusted with the responsibility of presenting portions of the prosecution's case before the United States Senate. Her role in the trial demonstrated the substantive contributions that territorial delegates can make to major congressional proceedings, despite the constitutional limitations on their voting power.

During the trial, Plaskett was responsible for presenting evidence related to the events of January 6, including video footage and communications that detailed the timeline of the attack on the Capitol. Her presentations were noted for their clarity and the methodical manner in which she laid out the factual record. The trial ultimately resulted in an acquittal, as the Senate did not reach the two-thirds supermajority required for conviction, but Plaskett's performance elevated her national profile and drew attention to the role of the Virgin Islands' delegate in Congress.

Legislative Priorities and Policy Positions

Throughout her tenure in Congress, Plaskett has focused on issues of particular importance to the U.S. Virgin Islands and the broader Caribbean region. As the territory's sole representative in Congress, she has advocated for federal disaster relief and recovery funding, infrastructure investment, healthcare access, and economic development for the Virgin Islands. The territory's vulnerability to hurricanes and other natural disasters has made disaster preparedness and recovery a recurring priority in her legislative work.

Plaskett's membership in the Climate Solutions Caucus reflects her attention to environmental issues that directly affect the Virgin Islands, including rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and the increasing intensity of tropical storms linked to climate change. Her participation in bipartisan environmental initiatives indicates a willingness to work across party lines on issues she considers critical to her constituents' well-being.

As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Plaskett has also engaged with broader national policy debates concerning civil rights, criminal justice reform, and economic opportunity for communities of color.

Personal Life

Stacey Plaskett is married to Jonathan Buckney-Small. The couple has five children. Plaskett maintains residences connected to both the U.S. Virgin Islands, which she represents, and the broader Washington, D.C., area, where she carries out her congressional duties.

Plaskett's personal background bridges the mainland United States and the Caribbean, reflecting the broader experience of many Virgin Islanders who maintain connections to both the territory and cities such as New York. Her path from a New York City upbringing through a legal career spanning multiple jurisdictions to elected office in the Virgin Islands illustrates the interconnected nature of these communities.

Her party affiliation changed from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party in late 2008, a shift she described as motivated by a belief that the Democratic Party offered a better environment for the consideration of new ideas. This transition from one major party to the other is a notable element of her political biography, as it preceded and shaped her entry into electoral politics as a Democratic candidate in the Virgin Islands.

Recognition

Plaskett has received recognition from several institutions for her public service and civic contributions. Georgetown University, her undergraduate alma mater, honored her with the Samuel Halsey Jr. Citizenship Award, which recognizes Georgetown alumni who have demonstrated outstanding citizenship and commitment to public service.

Her role as an impeachment manager during the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump in 2021 brought her significant national attention and media coverage. As the first non-voting member of the House to serve in this capacity, her participation was covered extensively by national news outlets and legal commentators. The historic nature of her selection underscored both her legal acumen, rooted in her Juris Doctor training and Department of Justice experience, and her standing within the Democratic caucus in the House.

Plaskett's successive electoral victories in the U.S. Virgin Islands reflect a sustained base of support among the territory's voters. Her continued service as delegate through multiple terms has established her as a prominent figure in Virgin Islands politics and in the broader landscape of congressional representation for U.S. territories.

The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress maintains an official entry for Plaskett, documenting her service as a member of the 114th Congress and subsequent congresses.

Legacy

Plaskett's career represents a notable chapter in the political history of the U.S. Virgin Islands and in the broader narrative of territorial representation in the United States Congress. As one of the few delegates from U.S. territories serving in the House at any given time, she has worked to bring attention to the unique challenges faced by territorial residents, who are U.S. citizens but lack full voting representation in Congress.

Her service as an impeachment manager in 2021 established a precedent for the participation of non-voting delegates in some of the most consequential proceedings of the House of Representatives. By serving as a prosecutor in a Senate impeachment trial despite her inability to vote on the House floor, Plaskett expanded the understood role of territorial delegates in congressional operations. This precedent may influence future considerations about the scope of participation available to delegates from the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the District of Columbia.

Plaskett's transition from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party, combined with her prior service in the Bush administration's Department of Justice, gives her a bipartisan perspective that is relatively uncommon among current members of Congress. Her career trajectory—from New York City to Georgetown University to the Department of Justice to the U.S. Virgin Islands' congressional delegation—illustrates the varied pathways through which individuals enter territorial politics and the ways in which mainland legal and political experience can inform service to island communities.

Her membership in both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Climate Solutions Caucus reflects a legislative portfolio that spans racial justice and environmental policy, two areas of particular relevance to the Virgin Islands and other Caribbean communities facing the intersecting challenges of economic inequality and climate vulnerability.