Kenneth Mapp facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kenneth Mapp
8th Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
In office January 5, 2015 – January 7, 2019
Lieutenant	Osbert Potter
Preceded by	John DeJongh
Succeeded by	Albert Bryan
7th Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
In office January 2, 1995 – January 4, 1999
Governor	Roy Schneider
Preceded by	Derek Hodge
Succeeded by	Gerard 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 party	Independent (2000–present)
Other political affiliations	Republican (before 2000)
Residence	Orlando, Florida
Education	New York City College of Technology University of the Virgin Islands Harvard University (MPA)

Kenneth Ezra Mapp (born November 2, 1955) is an American politician. He served as the eighth elected Governor of the United States Virgin Islands from 2015 to 2019. He was once a Republican but later ran for office as an independent candidate.

Before becoming Governor, Kenneth Mapp was a Senator in the Virgin Islands for three terms. He also served as the Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands from 1995 to 1999. Mapp ran for Governor as an independent in 2006 and 2010 but was not elected. In 2014, he won the gubernatorial election, becoming Governor. He sought a second term in 2018 but was defeated.

Kenneth Mapp's Early Life and Schooling

Kenneth Ezra Mapp was born on November 2, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Al Mapp and Vashti Hewitt Mapp, who were from St. Croix. He was one of four children in his family.

In 1961, Mapp moved to Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was raised there by his grandmother, Almina N. Hewitt. He finished high school at St. Croix Central High School in 1973.

Mapp attended New York City Community College and the University of the Virgin Islands. Later, after serving as lieutenant governor, he studied at Harvard Business School. He also earned a master's degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Kenneth Mapp's Career Journey

Kenneth Mapp started his career as a police trainee in New York City. He joined the New York City Police Department in 1973. Later, he became a police officer in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was also elected president of the Virgin Islands Police Benevolent Association.

Serving in the Legislature

Mapp was elected as a senator in the Virgin Islands Legislature three times. His first election was in 1982 to the 15th Legislature. He was also elected to the 18th and 20th Legislatures. As a senator, he led the Committee on Public Safety and Judicial Affairs. He was also a member of the Committee on Finance.

He held other important roles in the Virgin Islands government. He was the assistant director of the Industrial Development Commission. This group later became the Economic Development Authority. Mapp also directed the Consumer Services Administration, which is now the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs.

Becoming Lieutenant Governor

In 1994, Roy Schneider chose Kenneth Mapp to be his running mate for lieutenant governor. They ran as independent candidates. Schneider and Mapp won the election in a special runoff election on November 22, 1994. They defeated the other candidates.

Governor Roy Schneider and Lt. Governor Kenneth Mapp started their four-year term on January 2, 1995. They did not run for re-election in 1999.

Work in Public Finance

In 2002, Governor Charles Turnbull appointed Mapp to a new role. He became the Director of finance and administration for the Virgin Island's Public Finance Authority. In this role, Mapp helped raise a lot of money for the government. He also helped Hovensa, a large employer in the territory. During his time, the Public Finance Authority received high ratings for government-backed investments. Mapp also managed several big construction projects. He was part of the Governor's team that worked on the budget.

Gubernatorial Elections

Kenneth Mapp ran for Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands several times.

2006 Election

In 2006, Mapp announced he would run for governor as an independent. His running mate was former Senator Almando Liburd. In the first election, no candidate won more than 50% of the votes. This meant Mapp and John De Jongh, who received the most votes, had to go into a second runoff election. In the runoff, De Jongh was elected Governor.

2010 Election

Mapp announced his candidacy for Governor again in the 2010 election. He ran as an Independent. He chose Malik Sekou, a professor, as his running mate.

Mapp's campaign focused on reducing crime and improving education. He promised to build a technical school and promote economic growth. The election took place on November 2, 2010. The current governor, John de Jongh, won a second term.

2014 Election

Mapp ran for Governor in the 2014 election. His running mate was Osbert Potter, a former Virgin Islands senator. The main election was on November 4, 2014. Mapp received 47.47% of the votes. Because no candidate reached over 50%, a runoff election was held.

The runoff was on November 18, 2014, between Mapp and Donna Christian-Christensen. Mapp won the runoff election with almost 64% of the votes.

2018 Election

Mapp ran for re-election in 2018. His campaign slogan was Building Stronger and Smarter. However, he lost in a runoff election to Albert Bryan.

Kenneth Mapp's Time as Governor

Kenneth Mapp became the 8th elected Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands on January 5, 2015.

Key Actions and Policies

When he took office, Governor Mapp asked for money to take legal action against Hovensa. He later signed a law to allow this. To fight rising crime, Mapp created a partnership between the New York City Police Department and the Virgin Islands Police Department. Police officers from the Virgin Islands were sent to New York for training.

Mapp signed an executive order allowing same-sex marriage in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This followed a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. In July 2015, Mapp joined the NGA's Committee on Economic Development. His government also sued HESS Corporation for a large amount of money after the refinery closed. Mapp also created the Virgin Islands Climate Change Council. In December 2015, Mapp made an agreement for ArcLight Partners, LLC, to run the oil storage part of the Hovensa refinery.

Economic and Social Improvements

Governor Mapp increased salaries for government employees. His administration also worked to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.50 over three years. He worked with Sinopec on the St. Croix oil refinery. He also met with Air China officials to attract Chinese tourists to the territory.

In February 2017, Mapp faced a financial challenge for the government. He helped provide the federal Medicaid program to all eligible Virgin Islands residents. This gave important health care access to many families.

Hurricane Response and Recovery

On September 5, 2017, Mapp declared a state of emergency for Hurricane Irma. Thirteen days later, Hurricane Maria followed. He met President Donald Trump to discuss the damage. Within ten months, many members of Congress visited the USVI to see the destruction. Mapp successfully convinced Congress to provide about $9 billion in federal funds for recovery and rebuilding.

Mapp also asked local and national non-profit groups to help with recovery. These included the American Red Cross and Bloomberg Philanthropies. He also received help from other governors like Andrew Cuomo and Chris Christie.

Infrastructure and Education

Major construction projects funded by the federal government began during Mapp's time. These included the Veterans Drive Improvement Project. Mapp also offered free tuition to all local high school graduates who attended the University of the Virgin Islands.

See also

In Spanish: Kenneth Mapp para niños