  melvin herbert evans (august 7, 1917november 27, 1984) was the first elected governor of the united states virgin islands, serving from 1969 to 1975. after serving as governor he was delegate from the united states virgin islands to the united states house of representatives from 1979 to 1981. evans was born in christiansted in saint croix, and attended howard university, washington, d.c. and the university of california, berkeley. he was the virgin islands health commissioner, and appointed governor of the united states virgin islands, serving from 1969 until 1971. he was the first elected governor in 1970 and served from 1971 until 1975. evans was a republican national committeeman and served as a delegate to the 1972 republican national convention and 1976 republican national convention. on november 7, 1978, evans was elected delegate to the united states house of representatives from u.s. virgin islands as a republican. he defeated democrat janet watlington, an aide to outgoing del. ron de lugo, with 10,458 votes, or 52.2% of the vote. watlington placed second 9,588 votes, equaling 47.8% of the total votes cast. evans served as delegate in the house from january 3, 1979 to january 3, 1981. he was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1980, losing to former de
1917_births 1984_deaths African-American_members_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives African-American_politicians Ambassadors_of_the_United_States_to_Trinidad_and_Tobago Delegates_to_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives_from_the_United_States_Virgin_Islands Governors_of_the_United_States_Virgin_Islands Howard_University_alumni People_from_Saint_Croix,_U.S._Virgin_Islands Republican_Party_of_the_Virgin_Islands_politicians