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Donna Christensen
Donna Christensen (b. September 19, 1945) was a Democratic, non-voting member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as a delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Christensen was first elected in 1996 and served until her term was finished in January 2015. She decided to not run for re-election in 2014. She instead ran for Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. She was defeated by Kenneth Mapp (I) on November 4, 2014.[1]
Biography
Christensen was born in Teaneck, NJ. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's College and received her medical degree from George Washington University.[2]
Career
- 1997-2015: U.S. House of Representatives, Delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands
- 1994-1995: acting commissioner of health for the Virgin Islands
- 1988-1994: territorial assistant, commissioner of health for the Virgin Islands
- 1987-1988: medical director, St. Croix Hospital
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2013-2014
Christensen served on the following committees:[3]
- Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
- Subcommittee on Energy and Power
- Subcommittee on Health
Issues
American response in Syria
- See also: United States involvement in Syria
On August 29, 2013, 53 House Democrats signed a letter written by California Rep. Barbara Lee that called for a congressional resolution on strikes and said that the situation in Syria "should not draw us into an unwise war—especially without adhering to our constitutional requirements."[4][5] The letter also called on the Obama administration to work with the U.N. Security Council to build international consensus condemning the alleged use of chemical weapons. Christensen was one of the 53 Democrats in the House to sign the letter.[4][5]
Elections
2012
Christensen won re-election in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing the U.S. Virgin Islands as a Democrat.[6]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Donna Christensen Incumbent |
60.1% | 11,512 | |
| Republican | Holland L. Redfield, II | 11.1% | 2,131 | |
| Independent | Guillaume Mimoun | 1.6% | 312 | |
| Independent | Norma Pickard-Samuel | 10.1% | 1,927 | |
| Independent | Warren B. Mosler | 17.1% | 3,276 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.1% | 12 | |
| Total Votes | 19,170 | |||
| Source: Election System of the Virgin Islands "Election Results" | ||||
Personal Gain Index
- See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)
- See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)
The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:
PGI: Change in net worth
Between 2004 and 2012, Christensen's calculated net worth[7] increased by 160.4 percent. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[8]
| Donna Christensen Yearly Net Worth | |
|---|---|
| Year | Average Net Worth |
| 2004 | $249,770 |
| 2012 | $650,500 |
| Growth from 2004 to 2012: | 160% |
| Average annual growth: | 20%[9] |
| Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.[10] | |
The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.
Footnotes
- ↑ Virgin Islands Elections System, "Territory Wide Results," accessed December 19, 2014
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "CHRISTENSEN, Donna Marie, (1945 - )," accessed February 7, 2013
- ↑ CQ.com, "House Committee Rosters for the 113th Congress," accessed March 3, 2013
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Congresswoman Barbara Lee, "Rep. Barbara Lee and 53 other Democrats sign letter to Obama urging debate on Syria," accessed September 3, 2019
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Washington Post, "More than 50 House Democrats also want Syria strike resolution," accessed September 2, 2013
- ↑ VIVote.gov, "Election Results," accessed February 7, 2013
- ↑ This figure represents the total percentage growth from either 2004 (if the member entered office in 2004 or earlier) or the member's first year in office (as noted in the chart below).
- ↑ This number was found by dividing each member's total net worth growth percentage by the number of years included in the calculation.
- ↑ This figure represents the total percentage growth divided by the number of years for which there are net worth figures for each member.
- ↑ This figure was calculated using median asset data from the Census Bureau. Please see the Congressional Net Worth data for Ballotpedia spreadsheet for more information on this calculation.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Victor Frazer |
U.S. House - Virgin Islands - Delegate 1997-2015 |
Succeeded by Stacey Plaskett |
