Vargrave Richards
Encyclopedia
Vargrave A. Richards is a United States Virgin Islands politician
and educator. Richards served as the Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
from 2003 until 2007 during the second term of Democratic
Governor Charles Turnbull.
. Richards attended the attended the College of the Virgin Islands, now known as the University of the Virgin Islands
, and was a part-time student at Antioch University
from 1969 until 1973. Vargrave does not hold a bachelor's degree.
. He served as the President of the Senate during the 23rd Legislature, which met from 1999 until 2000.
had a very strained relationship with Lieutenant Governor Gerard Luz James
during his first term in office. During the 2002 gubernatorial election, James challenged Turnbull for Governor, so Turnbull needed a new running mate for Lieutenant Governor if he chose to run for a second term.
On June 18, 2002, Turnbull ended speculation by announcing that he would seek re-election as Governor at a rally at Gertrude’s Restaurant on Saint Croix. Turnbull chose Vargrave Richards as his running mate for Lt. Governor. The Turnbull-Richards ticket defeated James in the Democratic primary election
and won the general gubernatorial election in the fall, which gave Turnbull a second term as Governor.
Governor Turnbull and Lt. Governor Vargrave Richards were inaugurated into office on January 6, 2003.
, as his running mate.
Richards was defeated in the Democratic
gubernatorial primary election
by businessman John de Jongh
. De Jongh received 7,041 votes (52.28%), while Richards came in second with 3,894 votes (28.91%). The gubernatorial ticket of Edgar Ross and Lorraine Berry came in third with 2,524 votes.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and educator. Richards served as the Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
The following is a list of Lieutenant Governors of the United States Virgin Islands.*David Earle Maas - Republican...
from 2003 until 2007 during the second term of Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Governor Charles Turnbull.
Early life
Richards is a former teacherTeacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
. Richards attended the attended the College of the Virgin Islands, now known as the University of the Virgin Islands
University of the Virgin Islands
The University of the Virgin Islands is a public university located in the United States Virgin Islands.-Academics:The university has five academic divisions: Business, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Nursing, and Science and Mathematics. UVI offers several graduate degree programs and...
, and was a part-time student at Antioch University
Antioch University
Antioch University is an American university with five campuses located in four states. Campuses are located in Los Angeles, California; Santa Barbara, California; Keene, New Hampshire; Yellow Springs, Ohio; and Seattle, Washington. Additionally, Antioch University houses two institution-wide...
from 1969 until 1973. Vargrave does not hold a bachelor's degree.
Political career
Vargrave Richards served as a Democratic Senator from Saint Croix for four terms in the Legislature of the Virgin IslandsLegislature of the Virgin Islands
The Legislature of the Virgin Islands is the territorial legislature of the United States Virgin Islands. The legislative branch of the unincorporated U.S. territory is unicameral, with a single house consisting of 15 senators, elected to two-year terms without term limits. The territorial...
. He served as the President of the Senate during the 23rd Legislature, which met from 1999 until 2000.
Lieutenant Governor
Democratic Governor Charles Wesley TurnbullCharles Wesley Turnbull
Charles Wesley Turnbull , was the 26th Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.He was born on St. Thomas. Prior to being elected in 1998, he was a professor at the University of the Virgin Islands, Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner of the territorial Department of Education, principal and...
had a very strained relationship with Lieutenant Governor Gerard Luz James
Gerard Luz James
Gerard Luz James II is a United States Virgin Islander politician, funeral director, and businessman. James served as the Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands from 1999 until 2003 and is the current president of the Virgin Islands' fifth Constitutional Convention.-Early...
during his first term in office. During the 2002 gubernatorial election, James challenged Turnbull for Governor, so Turnbull needed a new running mate for Lieutenant Governor if he chose to run for a second term.
On June 18, 2002, Turnbull ended speculation by announcing that he would seek re-election as Governor at a rally at Gertrude’s Restaurant on Saint Croix. Turnbull chose Vargrave Richards as his running mate for Lt. Governor. The Turnbull-Richards ticket defeated James in the Democratic primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
and won the general gubernatorial election in the fall, which gave Turnbull a second term as Governor.
Governor Turnbull and Lt. Governor Vargrave Richards were inaugurated into office on January 6, 2003.
2006 gubernatorial candidacy
Incumbent Governor Charles Turnbull could not seek a third term in the 2006 gubernatorial election due to term limits. Vargrave Richards, who was serving as the Lt. Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands at the time, announced that he would run for Governor in 2006 as a Democrat. Richards chose Roy Jackson, a certified public accountantCertified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
, as his running mate.
Richards was defeated in the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
gubernatorial primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
by businessman John de Jongh
John de Jongh
John Percy de Jongh, Jr. is the current Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.-Life and career:de Jongh was born in Brooklyn, New York. As a child he attended Sts. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas. After his parents' divorce, he lived with his mother in Detroit, Michigan while his mother did...
. De Jongh received 7,041 votes (52.28%), while Richards came in second with 3,894 votes (28.91%). The gubernatorial ticket of Edgar Ross and Lorraine Berry came in third with 2,524 votes.