John de Jongh Jr.
John Percy de Jongh Jr. (born November 13, 1957) is an American businessman and politician who served as the Governor of the United States Virgin Islands from 2007 to 2015. He has been active in Virgin Islands politics and the business community since returning to St. Thomas after graduating from college in 1981. De Jongh has been involved in community development, commercial banking, served on the boards of business and philanthropic organizations, appointed to government positions and elected to public office.
John de Jongh | |
|---|---|
| 7th Governor of the United States Virgin Islands | |
| In office January 1, 2007 – January 5, 2015 | |
| Lieutenant | Gregory Francis |
| Preceded by | Charles W. Turnbull |
| Succeeded by | Kenneth Mapp |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Percy de Jongh Jr. November 13, 1957 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Cecile Galiber |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Antioch College (BA) |
De Jongh ran for governor in the 2002 general election as an independent candidate, placing second with 24.4% of the vote and losing to the incumbent, Charles W. Turnbull. In the 2006 general election de Jongh ran as the Democratic Party candidate and defeated former Lieutenant Governor Kenneth Mapp in a runoff and became governor. In 2010, he was re-elected to a second term and served until January 5, 2015, when he was term limited.