Samuel Baptiste

Samuel Baptiste (born December 19, 1963, in Saint Croix) is a United States Virgin Islands politician and businessman. He was most recently a Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands in 2010 as the running mate of Senator Adlah Donastorg Jr.

Biography

Early life Samuel Baptiste was born on Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, on December 19, 1963. His mother, Elaine Baptiste was from Willikies, Antigua, while his father, Lennard Baptiste, was originally from the town of Castle Bruce, Dominica. He was raised in Frederiksted, where he attended Claude O. Markoe Elementary School and Arthur Richards Junior High School. Baptiste graduated from high school in Florida.

Baptiste enlisted in the U.S. Army following his graduation from high school. He remained a member of the Army for thirteen years. He was based with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Baptiste was honorably discharged in March 1997.

Education Baptiste received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of the Virgin Islands in 2001. He later obtained two master's degrees in business administration and public administration from the University of the Virgin Islands in 2009.

Business career Baptiste runs a H&R Block franchise, located in Villa La Reine on Saint Croix. Donatorg and Baptiste came in second place in the primary, garnering 4,300 votes, or 30.61% of the total vote.