Stacey Plaskett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stacey Plaskett
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Official portrait, 2015
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| Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the U.S. Virgin Islands' at-large district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Donna Christian-Christensen |
| Personal details | |
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Stacey Elizabeth Plaskett
May 13, 1966 New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (2008–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Republican (until 2008) |
| Spouse | Jonathan Buckney Small |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Georgetown University (BSFS) American University (JD) |
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Stacey Elizabeth Plaskett (born May 13, 1966) is an American politician and lawyer. Since 2015, she has served as the non-voting delegate for the United States Virgin Islands in the United States House of Representatives. This means she represents the U.S. Virgin Islands in Congress but cannot vote on final laws.
Before 2008, Plaskett was a member of the Republican Party. President George W. Bush appointed her to work in the Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice. She later joined the Democratic Party in 2008. She felt the Democratic Party was a better place for new ideas. She made history by becoming the first non-voting House member to serve as a House manager (like a prosecutor) during the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump.
Early Life and Education
Stacey Plaskett was born on May 13, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in the Bushwick housing projects. Her parents were both from Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Her father was a police officer in New York City. Her mother worked as a clerk in the court system.
Her family often visited Saint Croix when she was a child. This helped her learn about the island's traditions and culture. Her parents' home in New York was a welcoming place. Many students and new arrivals from the Virgin Islands stayed there.
Her School Journey
Stacey attended Brooklyn Friends School and Grace Lutheran Elementary. She was chosen by "A Better Chance, Inc." This group helps minority students attend top schools. She became a boarding student at Choate Rosemary Hall. There, she was a strong athlete and class president for several years. She also spent a term studying in France.
Plaskett often says that Choate taught her to care about public service. She learned a deep sense of responsibility to others. In 1988, she earned a degree in history and diplomacy. This was from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.
While at Georgetown, she was active in student government. She also joined the Anti-Apartheid Movement. As a student, she spoke at the United Nations General Assembly for universities in the Washington D.C. area. She earned her law degree (J.D.) from American University Washington College of Law in 1994. She went to law school at night. During the day, she worked for the American Medical Association and a law firm called Jones Day.
Her Career Journey
After law school, Plaskett became an assistant district attorney in the Bronx, New York. She handled many cases there. Later, she worked as a consultant. She helped companies with internal investigations and strategies.
She then moved to Washington, D.C. She worked as a lawyer for the U.S. House of Representatives. This was for the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, now called the Ethics Committee.
Working for the Justice Department
A mentor asked her to work at the United States Department of Justice. She accepted and became a political appointee for President George W. Bush. She served as a lawyer for the Assistant Attorney General. She also worked as acting deputy assistant attorney general for the Torts Branch.
She then joined the staff of Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson. She worked on programs to increase the number of minority and women lawyers. While at the Justice Department, she also worked on the Terrorism Litigation Task Force. She helped with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
After leaving government, she became a deputy general counsel at UnitedHealth Group. She handled legal work related to Medicaid and Medicare programs. Later, she moved to the Virgin Islands. From 2007 to 2014, she was general counsel for the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority. This group works to help the U.S. territory's economy grow.
Serving in Congress
Elections to Congress
2012 Election
In 2012, Plaskett ran for Congress. She challenged the delegate, Donna Christian-Christensen, in the Democratic Party primary. She did not win this election.
2014 Election
In 2014, Plaskett ran for the same office again. She officially announced her candidacy in November 2013. She won the Democratic Primary in August. She then faced a Republican opponent in the General Election in November. She won with over 90% of the vote.
2016 Election
Plaskett was challenged in the Democratic Party Primary by Ronald Russell. She won the primary with a large majority of the votes. In the general election, she faced Gordon Ackley, who ran as a write-in candidate. She won this election by a landslide.
2018 Election
Plaskett won re-election in 2018. She ran unopposed in both the Democratic primary and the general election.
2020 Election
Plaskett won re-election again in 2020. She defeated an independent candidate with 88.09% of the vote.
Important Roles in Congress
Impeachment Manager
On January 12, 2021, Plaskett was chosen as a House impeachment manager. This was for the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump. The trial was in response to the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. During the trial, she was introduced by Jamie Raskin, who was her former constitutional law professor. He praised her as an excellent student.
Weaponization Subcommittee
On February 2, 2023, Plaskett was appointed as the Ranking Member of a special committee. This is the United States House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. She has spoken about her concerns regarding this subcommittee. She believes it should not be used to settle political scores or spread conspiracy theories.
Committee Assignments
Plaskett serves on several important committees in the House of Representatives. These committees help shape laws and policies.
- Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
- Subcommittee on National Intelligence Enterprise (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Defense Intelligence and Overhead Architecture
- Committee on the Budget
- Committee on Ways and Means
- Subcommittee on Oversight
- Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures
Caucus Memberships
Plaskett is also a member of several caucuses. These are groups of lawmakers who share common interests.
- New Democrat Coalition (Leadership Member)
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Climate Solutions Caucus
- Congressional Blockchain Caucus
- Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans
Personal Life
Stacey Plaskett is married to Jonathan Buckney Small. He is a community activist and used to be a professional tennis player. She has five children. Plaskett has served on many non-profit boards. These groups focus on education, culture, and community development. She is a Lutheran.
In January 2025, Stacey Plaskett spoke out about the non-voting rights of delegates in Congress. These delegates represent U.S. territories like the Virgin Islands. She believes these territories should have full voting rights.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
