Wikipedia

Kenneth Mapp

Kenneth Ezra Mapp (born November 2, 1955) is an American politician who served as the eighth elected Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, from 2015 to 2019. He was registered Republican,[1] but ran as an independent.

Kenneth Mapp
8th Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
In office
January 5, 2015 – January 7, 2019
LieutenantOsbert Potter
Preceded byJohn DeJongh
Succeeded byAlbert Bryan
7th Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
In office
January 2, 1995 – January 4, 1999
GovernorRoy Schneider
Preceded byDerek Hodge
Succeeded byGerard Luz James
Member of the Virgin Islands Legislature from St. Croix District
In office
20th Legislature: January 11, 1993 – January 9, 1995
In office
18th Legislature: January 1989 – May 1989
In office
15th Legislature: January 1983 – January 1985
Personal details
Born
Kenneth Ezra Mapp

(1955-11-02) November 2, 1955 (age 69)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyIndependent (2000–present)
Other political
affiliations		Republican (before 2000)
ResidenceOrlando, Florida
EducationNew York City College of Technology
University of the Virgin Islands
Harvard University (MPA)

A former three-term Virgin Islands Senator, Mapp served as the Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands from 1995 until 1999. Mapp was an independent candidate for Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2006 and 2010,[2] but was defeated both times by Democrat John de Jongh.[3] He ran in the 2014 gubernatorial election for Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, defeating Donna Christian-Christensen, the longtime Delegate to Congress, in a run-off.[4] Mapp ran for a second term in 2018, but was defeated in the runoff election by Democrat Albert Bryan.[5]

Early life and education

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Kenneth Ezra Mapp[6][7] was born on November 2, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York, to Al Mapp and Vashti Hewitt Mapp of St. Croix.[8] He was one of four siblings. Mapp moved to Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1961, where he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Almina N. Hewitt, in Estate Rattan. He graduated from St. Croix Central High School in 1973.

Mapp has attended New York City Community College of City University of New York and the University of the Virgin Islands, but has not earned a bachelor's degree. After leaving office as lieutenant governor in 1999, however, he completed the six-week Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School (which has no formal educational requirements)[9] and received a master's degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.[2] Mapp also completed other fellowships at Harvard University and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.[2]

Career

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Mapp has worked as a police trainee in New York City and a police officer in the U.S. Virgin Islands.[2] He joined the New York City Police Department soon after graduating from high school in 1973 and was based in the 83rd Police Precinct in Brooklyn. He later became a police officer in the Virgin Islands and was elected president of the Virgin Islands Police Benevolent Association.

Mapp was elected as a senator in the Virgin Islands Legislature in three separate elections.[2] Mapp was elected to the 15th Legislature of the Virgin Islands[2] in 1982, his first elected office. He would later be elected as a senator in the 18th and 20th Legislatures as well. He chaired the Committee on Public Safety and Judicial Affairs and was a standing member on the Committee on Finance.[2] Additionally, Mapp held other positions within the Virgin Islands government. He served as the assistant director of the Industrial Development Commission, which later became the Economic Development Authority.[2] Mapp also became the director of the Consumer Services Administration, which is now the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs.[2]

In 1994, gubernatorial candidate Roy L. Schneider chose Mapp as his running mate for lieutenant governor in the election.[2] Schneider and Mapp jointly campaigned as independent candidates.[10] Schneider and Mapp were elected Governor and Lt. Governor in a special gubernatorial runoff election held on November 22, 1994.[10] They defeated the Democratic gubernatorial ticket, which consisted of then-Lt. Gov. Derek M. Hodge and his running mate, Alfred O. Heath.[10]

Governor Roy Schneider and Lt. Governor Kenneth Mapp were inaugurated to a four-year term on January 2, 1995.[10] However, Schneider and Mapp had a publicly strained relationship while in office and the two often did not speak to one another during their four-year tenure.[11] Schneider and Mapp did not seek re-election in 1999. Instead, Schneider ran with Finance Commissioner Juan Centeno as his running mate and they were defeated in the election by Democratic candidate Charles Turnbull and his running mate, Gerard Luz James, who were sworn in on January 4, 1999.[12]

After leaving office as lieutenant governor, Mapp earned a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP 159) at Harvard Business School.[13] Though he ran for lieutenant governor as independent, Mapp had changed his party affiliation from Republican by 2001.[13] Mapp did not run for governor in 2002.[13] He campaigned for Governor Turnbull who was re-elected to a second term.

In 2002, Governor Charles Turnbull appointed Mapp as the Virgin Island's Public Finance Authority's Director of finance and administration. Mapp raised millions of dollars for the government and Hovensa, the territory's largest private sector employer. The Public Finance Authority acquired its first ever investment grade ratings on VI government-backed securities during Mapp's tenure. Mapp also managed several major capital projects and served on the Governor's financial and budget team. Mapp participated in budget hearings and prepared a variety of detailed analysis and reports. The Governor's financial team worked closely with department heads and legislators to develop and gain legislative approval of the annual territorial budgets.[2]

In 2006, Mapp announced his candidacy for governor as an independent candidate with former Senator at Large Almando Liburd as his running mate. His two main opponents were businessman John De Jongh and Senator Adlah Donastorg. In the general election, de Jongh won 15,914 votes which equalled 49.33% of the total vote, Mapp won 9,100 of the total votes (equalling 26.78 percent) and Donatorg earned 7,871 votes, or 23.16 percent of the votes cast.[14] De Jongh and Mapp, the two top candidates in terms of votes, were forced into a second runoff election on November 21, 2006, since no candidate earned more than 50% of the total votes cast.[14] In the 2006 gubernatorial runoff, De Jongh was elected Governor with 16,644 votes (57.30%), while Mapp came in second, garnering 12,402 votes (42.70%).[15]

2010 gubernatorial election

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Mapp formally announced his candidacy for Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 2010 gubernatorial election on August 20, 2010, at his headquarters on Saint Thomas.[2] Mapp, who is running as an Independent rather than a Republican, picked Malik Sekou, a professor and department chair at the University of the Virgin Islands, as his running mate for lieutenant governor.[2][16]

Mapp's main campaign platform included reducing crime and improving education in the Virgin Islands.[2] Mapp promised to construct a technical school, promote economic growth while protecting the environment and pursue cleaner forms of energy if elected.[2] The general election took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent governor John de Jongh defeated Mapp in the election to win a second term in office.[3] De Jongh earned 17,535 votes, or 56.27% of the vote, while Mapp came in second with 13,580 votes, or 43.58% of the vote.[3] Mapp initially refused to concede, citing possible voting irregularities and the advice from his campaign advisor.[17]

2014 gubernatorial election

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  • Campaign slogan: It’s Time To Build

Mapp ran for Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 2014 gubernatorial election, choosing Osbert Potter, a former Virgin Islands senator as his running mate. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. He received 47.47% of the vote, but since no candidate received the required 50%+1 as required by the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, a runoff was held between him and Donna Christian-Christensen, the two top vote receivers. The runoff was held on November 18, 2014, two weeks after the general election.[18] Mapp went on to win the run-off election, receiving almost 64% of the vote.[4]

2018 gubernatorial election

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  • Campaign slogan: Building Stronger and Smarter

Mapp ran for reelection but lost with 44.67 percent of the vote to Albert Bryan's 55.04 percent in a run-off election.[19][20]

Political career

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Mapp was sworn in as the 8th elected Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands on January 5, 2015.[21] Upon taking office, Mapp requested $1 million to file a lawsuit against Hovensa.[22] He later signed legislation appropriating $1 million to further take legal action towards Hess Oil and PDVSA.[23] To combat rising crime in the territory, Mapp formed alliance between the New York City Police Department and the Virgin Islands Police Department.[24] In addition, VIPD officers were sent to New York for training and mentorship.[25] Mapp signed an executive order allowing same-sex marriage in the U.S. Virgin Islands following a U.S. Supreme Court's decision.[26] In July 2015, Mapp became a member of the NGA's Committee on Economic Development.[27] His administration moved to sue HESS Corporation for $1.5 billion given the refinery immediate closure.[28] Mapp created the Virgin Islands Climate Change Council through executive order.[29] In December 2015, Mapp began a agreement with ArcLight Partners, LLC, to operate the oil storage terminal of Hovensa refinery.[30]

Mapp implemented salary increases for government employees while his administration focused on raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.50 over a three-year period.[31] Worked with Sinopec on St. Croix oil refinery and met with Air China officials to attract Chinese tourists to the territory.[32] In February 2017, Mapp faced a government fiscal crisis with over $2 billion in debt and a structural deficit of $110 million.[33] Mapp provided the federal Medicaid program to all eligible Virgin Islands residents, giving vital health care access to many families who lacked health insurance and access to basic health care services.[34] On September 5, 2017, Mapp declared a state of emergency in preparations for Hurricane Irma which was followed by Hurricane Maria thirteen days later. He met President Donald Trump on a ship off Puerto Rico.[35] Within ten months of the storms, over 130 members of Congress led by then House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi were in the USVI seeing firsthand of the devastation.[36] Mapp was successful in persuading Congress and received bipartisan support for several unprecedented amendments to the Stafford Act as well as an estimated $9 billion of federal funds for the recovery and rebuilding of the territory. Mapp recruited local and national nonprofit organizations to join the recovery effort, including the American Red Cross, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Clinton Global Initiative, and the Kenny Chesney Foundation. He also appealed help for the territory and received personnel and resources from his fellow governors Andrew Cuomo,[37] Chris Christie,[38] and Larry Hogan.[39]

Major capital projects funded by the federal government started under Mapp tenure, such as the Veterans Drive Improvement Project[40] and the Bridge To NowHere.[41] Mapp offered free tuition to all local high school graduates attending the University of the Virgin Islands.[42]

References

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  1. ^ Mapp says He'll run for Governor Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine. 2002
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Lewin, Aldeth (2010-08-21). "Mapp formally announces his gubernatorial bid". Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  3. ^ a b c Pancham, Ananta (2010-10-02). "DeJongh-Francis to Return for Second Term". St. Thomas Source. Archived from the original on 2010-11-06. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  4. ^ a b "Kenneth Mapp Elected Governor Of The United States Virgin Islands". viconsortium.com.
  5. ^ "Bryan Defeats Mapp for Governor". St. John Source. 21 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Cigna Foundation Announces Grants Available in U.S. Virgin Islands". Cigna Foundation. March 1, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  7. ^ "Holy Communion Worship Service" (PDF). African Methodist Episcopal Church. July 10, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  8. ^ 1984. The Fifteenth Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands
  9. ^ "Advanced Management Program". hbs.edu.
  10. ^ a b c d "A Report on the State of the Islands 1997: Chapter 5 Virgin Islands". United States Department of the Interior Office of Insular Affairs. 1997. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  11. ^ Baur, John (n.d.). "James to Boycott Government House Gala, Rips Turnbull". St. Thomas Source. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  12. ^ Penington, Shaun (1999-01-04). "Turnbull becomes 6th Elected Governor". St. Thomas Source. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  13. ^ a b c Bate, Jamie (2001-11-30). "Mapp says He'll Run For Governor in 2002". St. Thomas Source. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  14. ^ a b Pancham, Ananta (2006-11-17). "DeJongh Two Votes Shy of Outright Win; Runoff With Mapp Set for Tuesday". St. Croix Source. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  15. ^ Mann, Susan (2006-11-22). "DeJongh wins USVI gubernatorial runoff election". Caribbean Net News. Archived from the original on 2010-06-10. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  16. ^ Kossler, Bill (2010-07-26). "Gubernatorial Challengers Pick Running Mates". St. Croix Source. Archived from the original on 2012-04-28. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  17. ^ Kossler, Bill (2010-10-05). "BVI's O'Neal Congratulates DeJongh as Mapp Won't Fold". St. Thomas Source. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  18. ^ Fiona Stokes. "Ballot set for runoff election Neither Christensen nor Mapp tickets expected to reach threshold after ballot-counting from General Election". virgin islands daily news. Archived from the original on 2014-11-15.
  19. ^ "Virgin Islands 2018 General Election". The Green Papers. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  20. ^ "Albert Bryan Becomes Ninth Elected Governor Of US Virgin Islands". The Virgin Islands Consortium. November 20, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  21. ^ "Kenneth Mapp Sworn In As 8th Governor Of U.S. Virgin Islands". VI Consortium. January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  22. ^ "Mapp Asks Senate For $1 Million For Suit Against Hovensa, Says 'It's Time To Turn Page'". VI Consortium. January 27, 2015.
  23. ^ "Governor Mapp Signs $1 Million Appropriations Bill For Hovensa Lawsuit". VI Consortium. March 28, 2015.
  24. ^ "Mapp Announces New NYPD-VIPD Partnership At Cruise Industry Conference, Will Launch Police Training Program In Local High Schools". VI Consortium. March 18, 2015.
  25. ^ "Local Officers To Be Sent To New York In VIPD/NYPD Swap For Better Policing Experience". VI Consortium. May 27, 2015.
  26. ^ "Virgin Islands governor signs marriage executive order". Washington Blade. July 10, 2015.
  27. ^ "Mapp Named Member Of National Governors Association's Committee On Economic Development". VI Consortium. July 27, 2015.
  28. ^ "GVI Files $1.2 Billion Suit Against HESS Corporation". VI Consortium. September 14, 2015.
  29. ^ "Mapp Signs Executive Order Aimed At Fighting Climate Change In Territory". VI Consortium. October 19, 2015.
  30. ^ "Governor Mapp Unveils Landmark Hovensa Agreement With Arclight". VI Consortium. December 1, 2015.
  31. ^ "Mapp signs bill to raise minimum wage". The Virgin Islands Daily News. March 25, 2016.
  32. ^ "Mission to China Brings Back Additional Investment Opportunities for USVI, Mapp Says". St. John Source. June 14, 2016.
  33. ^ "After Puerto Rico's Debt Crisis, Worries Shift to Virgin Islands". The New York Times. June 25, 2017.
  34. ^ "In Good News For Territory, An Additional 19,000 Virgin Islanders Now Eligible For Medicaid". VI Consortium. May 20, 2017.
  35. ^ "Trump Meets with Mapp, Agrees to V.I. Assistance". October 4, 2017.
  36. ^ "Congressional Delegation Led by Nancy Pelosi Visits U.S. Virgin Islands". VITEMA. July 29, 2018.
  37. ^ "U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Mapp, New York Governor Cuomo Announce Assessment Tour And Recovery Mission In Wake Of Hurricane Irma". LONG ISLAND.com. September 15, 2017.
  38. ^ "Virgin Islands get post-hurricane help from NJ first responders". Asbury Park Press. November 18, 2017.
  39. ^ "Maryland governor sends National Guard to US Virgin Islands". The Seattle Times. November 18, 2017.
  40. ^ "Mapp Breaks Ground At 'Historic' Veterans Drive Improvement Project In St. Thomas". Virgin Islands Free Press. May 17, 2018.
  41. ^ "Bridge to Nowhere, Officials Say Is Going Somewhere". CBSUSVI. October 15, 2018.
  42. ^ "In Historic Moment For USVI, Mapp Announces Free Tuition For College-Bound Students". VI Consortium. September 11, 2018.
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Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
1995–1999 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
2015–2019 		Succeeded by
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