Kurt Vialet
Kurt Vialet | |
|---|---|
| Majority Leader of the 36th Legislature | |
| Assuming office January 13, 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Kenneth Gittens |
| Member-elect of the Virgin Islands Legislature from St. Croix | |
| Assuming office January 13, 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Diane T. Capehart |
| In office January 12, 2015 – January 9, 2023 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kurt Anthony Vialet May 26, 1964 St. Croix, Virgin Islands, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 2022), (2024-Present) Independent (2022–2024) |
| Spouse | Wanda Figueroa-Vialet |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of the Virgin Islands (BA, MA) |
Kurt Anthony Vialet (born May 26, 1964) is an American politician and former educator who is member-elect of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands from St. Croix. He previously served from 2015 to 2023. Vialet ran as an independent candidate for governor in the 2022 election but lost to incumbent Governor Albert Bryan. Vialet won the 2024 senate election as the top vote getter on St. Croix and will return to the 36th legislature on January 13, 2025.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Kurt Vialet was born on May 26, 1964, in St. Croix to Roy Vialet from St. Thomas and Helena Matta-Vialet from Fajardo, Puerto Rico. A product of the Virgin Islands public school system, he graduated from St. Croix Central High School in 1982. Vialet attained his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the University of the Virgin Islands and a Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision in 1992.[2]
Career
[edit]Immediately after graduation from the University of the Virgin Islands, Vialet began working at the Virgin Islands Department of Education. He has occupied the position of a Teacher and an Assistant Principal at the Elena L. Christian Junior High School, a Principal at the St. Croix Educational Complex High School and Principal of the Arthur A. Richards Junior High School. In August 1995, Vialet was given the duty of designing and structuring SCEC and became the first principal to open the island’s second high school.[3]
Political career
[edit]2014
[edit]A newcomer entering politics for the first time, Vialet topped number one with 3,184 votes in the August 2 Democratic primary. He maintained first place with 8,288 votes in the general election on November 4, 2014.[4]
2016
[edit]Vialet secured first place in the Democratic primary with 1,544 votes. He went on to win re-election with 5,818 votes in the general election.[5]
2018
[edit]Vialet came in fourth place behind of Senator Novelle Francis Jr., who tied 1,842 votes with him.
2020
[edit]Vialet retained his number one spot while receiving 4,421 votes.[6]
2022
[edit]Vialet did not run for reelection to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, and ran for Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, ultimately losing to incumbent Governor Albert Bryan Jr..
2024
[edit]Vialet announced a run to return to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. In the St. Croix Democratic Primary, he was the highest vote getter, receiving 1,233 votes.[7] In the General Election, Vialet was the highest vote getter in the St. Croix District, receiving 4,825 votes. [8]
Personal life
[edit]Vialet is married to Wanda Figueroa and they have two daughters, Kurrisa and Kyminis Vialet.
References
[edit]- ^ "Vialet announces bid for governor with Sarauw as running mate". The Virgin Islands Daily News. May 6, 2022.
- ^ "About the Candidates". VialetSarauw. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ "About the Candidates". VialetSarauw. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- ^ "Kurt Vialet Tops Senate Race". VI Consortium. November 5, 2014.
- ^ "Kurt Vialet Is Top Vote Getter Once More". VI Consortium. August 6, 2016.
- ^ "USVI senate race: Vialet holds No. 1 spot in St Croix District". VI Consortium. November 3, 2020.
- ^ https://stthomassource.com/content/2024/08/03/vialet-joseph-highest-vote-getters-in-st-croix-democratic-primary/
- ^ https://stthomassource.com/content/2024/11/06/vialet-and-potter-lead-senate-races-bolques-retains-at-large-seat-as-new-faces-emerge/