Janelle Sarauw
Member of the Virgin Islands Legislature
In office
July 14, 2017 – January 9, 2023
Succeeded byRay Fonseca
Personal details
Born (1985-09-27) September 27, 1985
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, U.S.
Political partyIndependent
EducationFlorida Atlantic University (BA)
Gonzaga University (MA)

Janelle K. Sarauw is an Virgin Islander politician and former educator who served as senator in the Legislature of the Virgin Islands from the St. Thomas-St. John District, from 2017 to 2023. She is the first young woman and first openly gay person to serve in the territory’s legislature.[1] Sarauw ran for Lieutenant Governor in the 2022 election.[2]

Early life and education

Janelle K. Sarauw was born on St. Thomas to Levron Sarauw Sr. of Frederiksted, St. Croix and Carla Buchanan of Cayon, St. Kitts. The youngest of two children, Sarauw graduated from the Charlotte Amalie High School in 2003. Sarauw attended Florida Atlantic University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. She also received her master’s degree in Organizational leadership at Gonzaga University.[3]

Career

Sarauw taught U.S. history at Charlotte Amalie High School from 2007 to 2010. She joined the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation to be a Sports coordinator. Prior to becoming a senator, Sarauw was an Assistant chief researcher for the Lieutenant Governor office and worked as a part-time professor on political science at the University of the Virgin Islands.[4]

Legislative career

Sarauw was sworn in as the 15th member of the 32nd Legislature on July 14, 2017.[5]

2016 election

Sarauw ran for the Senate ending up in 8th place. On December 9, 2016, Sarauw and campaign volunteer, Brigitte Berry filed a complaint in the Superior Court against Kevin Rodríquez, St. Thomas & St. John Board of Elections, Virgin Islands Board of Elections and Supervisor of Elections Caroline F. Fawkes. They alleged that Rodríquez was not qualified to serve in the legislature because he hadn’t been "a bona fide resident of the Virgin Islands for at least three years next preceding the date of his election."[6]

2017 special election

Sarauw won a special election receiving 1,292 votes over former Senator Justin Harrigan Sr. who came in second place with 900 votes.[7]

2018 election

Sarauw won re-election with 5,339 votes.[8]

2020 election

Sarauw won re-election coming in second place with 4,827 votes.

Committee assignments

32nd Legislature
  • Committee on Rules and Judiciary
  • Committee on Education and Workforce Development
  • Committee on Consumer Affairs and Culture
  • Committee on Youth, Sports, Parks and Recreation
33rd Legislature
  • Committee on Rules and Judiciary (Chair)
34th Legislature
  • Committee on Housing, Transportation, and Telecommunications
  • Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services
  • Committee on Education and Workforce Development (Vice Chair)
  • Committee on Disaster Recovery and Infrastructure (Chair)
  • Committee on Finance
  • Committee on the Whole
    • Subcommittee on Energy and Infrastructure Development (Chair)

Lieutenant gubernatorial campaign

In May 2022, Sarauw was chosen by fellow senator Kurt Vialet to be his running mate in the 2022 gubernatorial election.

Personal life

Sarauw was crowned St. Thomas Carnival Queen in 2003.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Ariel Jao. "#Pride30: Senator Janelle Sarauw is breaking barriers in U.S. Virgin Islands". NBC. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  2. ↑ BETHANEY LEE. "Vialet announces bid for governor with Sarauw as running mate". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Janelle K. Sarauw Bio". Senator Janelle K. Sarauw. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Janelle Sarauw". Virgin Islands Daily News. October 21, 2016.
  5. ↑ "It's Over: Janelle Sarauw Is Sworn In As 15th Senator of 32nd Legislature". VI Consortium. July 14, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Sarauw and campaign staffer file suit challenging Rodriquez's residency". The Virgin Islands Daily News. December 10, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Janelle Sarauw Wins Vacant Senate Seat". St. Thomas Source. April 9, 2017.
  8. ↑ "2018 General Election". Election System of the Virgin Islands. November 6, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Queen Janelle Reigns Over Mas And Pageantry". VI Source Network. April 14, 2003.


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