Albert Bryan Jr.

Albert Bryan Jr. is a politician from the United States Virgin Islands, currently serving as the ninth governor of the territory. A member of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands, he has held the governorship since January 2019. Prior to his election as governor, Bryan had a career in public service and business, including a significant role as the Commissioner of the Department of Labor under Governor John deJongh from 2007 to 2015. His tenure as governor has been marked by various initiatives aimed at economic recovery, social justice, and infrastructure development.

Early life and career

Albert Bryan Jr. was born on February 21, 1968, on the island of St. Thomas, where he was raised in the Savan neighborhood of Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands. He is the eldest of five sons born to Albert Sr. and Genevieve Pilgrim-Bryan. During his teenage years, Bryan relocated to St. Croix, where he completed his high school education at St. Dunstan's Episcopal High School, graduating in 1985. He pursued higher education at Wittenberg University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1989. Later, he obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands in 2003.

Bryan's professional career began in the public sector when he was appointed by Governor John deJongh as the Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Labor in 2007. He served in this role until January 2015, overseeing labor policies and initiatives aimed at improving employment conditions in the territory. Following his departure from the Department of Labor, Bryan transitioned back to the private sector, where he took on leadership roles in consulting and recruitment firms, including Aabra Group and Master Strategies. Additionally, he served as the executive director of the Virgin Islands chapter of Junior Achievement, an organization focused on youth education and entrepreneurship.

Governorship

In April 2018, Bryan announced his candidacy for governor, selecting Tregenza Roach as his running mate. The duo campaigned on a platform that included restoring trust in government, stabilizing the economy, modernizing infrastructure, improving education and healthcare, reducing crime and poverty, and attracting rum distilleries to support the Government Employees' Retirement System (GERS). Bryan won the Democratic primary on August 4, 2018, and subsequently defeated incumbent Governor Kenneth Mapp in a runoff election, marking a significant political shift in the territory.

Bryan was sworn in as governor on January 7, 2019, in a ceremony attended by family and supporters. Upon taking office, he prioritized the formation of his administration, announcing his senior staff and committing to appointing his cabinet within 90 days. His early actions included securing an extension for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) hurricane recovery program and declaring a mental healthcare state of emergency due to a shortage of mental health professionals in the territory.

Throughout his governorship, Bryan has focused on various legislative initiatives. Notably, he signed the Virgin Islands Medicinal Cannabis Patient Care Act into law shortly after taking office and later proposed the legalization of recreational marijuana to generate additional revenue for GERS. His administration also took significant steps to address the territory's energy challenges, including clearing outstanding debts to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) and acquiring new generators to mitigate rolling blackouts.

In 2021, Bryan filed a lawsuit to block legislation aimed at reducing the size of the WAPA board, and in April 2024, he declared a state of emergency for WAPA following widespread outages. His administration has also introduced programs aimed at increasing homeownership, such as the V.I. Slice homeownership initiative announced in October 2022. In January 2023, he signed the Equality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and in 2024, he proposed legislation to allow individuals to amend their gender on identification documents.

Policy focus and legacy

Bryan's governorship has been characterized by a focus on economic development, social equity, and infrastructure improvement. His administration has sought to stabilize the territory's economy through various initiatives, including the promotion of tourism and investment in local industries. The campaign to attract rum distilleries is one example of his strategy to bolster the economy and support the financial stability of GERS.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges during Bryan's tenure. He declared a state of emergency on March 13, 2020, implementing measures such as business closures and travel testing requirements to mitigate the spread of the virus. In-person schooling was suspended for the remainder of the 2019–2020 academic year, reflecting the broader impact of the pandemic on the territory's education system.

Bryan's administration has also faced scrutiny regarding its handling of litigation related to Jeffrey Epstein, particularly concerning the territory's historical financial ties to Epstein's entities. Unsealed federal court documents revealed that Epstein's companies received substantial tax benefits from the Virgin Islands government during the time Bryan served as Commissioner of Labor and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority Board. This aspect of his administration has raised questions about accountability and governance.

In conclusion, Albert Bryan Jr. has played a significant role in the political landscape of the United States Virgin Islands since assuming the governorship in 2019. His focus on economic recovery, social justice, and infrastructure development reflects his commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the territory. As he continues to serve, the impact of his policies and initiatives will shape the future of the U.S. Virgin Islands.