Juan Francisco Luis

Juan Francisco Luis (July 10, 1940 – June 4, 2011) was a Puerto Rican-U.S. Virgin Islander politician who served as the third governor of the United States Virgin Islands, and the territory's 23rd governor overall. As lieutenant governor, Luis assumed the governorship on January 2, 1978, succeeding Governor Cyril King, who died in office. He served as governor from 1978 until 1987, becoming the longest-serving governor in the history of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Biography

Early years Juan Francisco Luis was born July 10, 1940 on the neighboring island of Vieques in Puerto Rico. He also worked as a project office manager for the Department of Housing and Urban Development Millin was sworn in on March 10, 1978. Later in 1978, Luis chose to run for a full term as governor as an independent, dropping his previous political affiliation with the ICM; Millin was his running mate. They defeated the Democratic ticket of Ron de Lugo, the-then Delegate of the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. House of Representatives, and Senator Eric E. Dawson, in a tough election campaign.

In 1982, Luis announced that he would seek re-election to a second full term. However, Millin chose to challenge Luis in the election. Luis and Brady finished first with 11,354 votes and were declared the winners.