Keith Mitchell

Keith Claudius Mitchell was born in the community of Brizan, Saint George. Mitchell graduated from The University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and chemistry in 1971. He gained a master's degree from Howard University in 1975 and a doctorate in mathematics and statistics from American University in 1979.{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.gd/biographies/keith_mitchell_bio.html|title=Biography: Keith Claudius Mitchell|date=9 October 2009|access-date=1 October 2011|publisher=Government of Grenada|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018095804/http://www.gov.gd/biographies/keith_mitchell_bio.html|archive-date=18 October 2014|url-status=dead}}{{Cite thesis|last=Mitchell|first=Keith Claudius|title=A study of ridge regression and some examples of its application in multivariate analysis|publisher=American University|year=1980|isbn=|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=|doi=10.57912/23887239.v1 |hdl=1961/thesesdissertations:894|oclc=7468179|hdl-access=free}} He then worked as a statistician at Applied Management Sciences, providing statistical support to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In 1984, Mitchell gave up his professional activities to return home to Grenada after the U.S. invasion.{{cite web | last1=Marker | first1=David | title=Interview with Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada | url=https://magazine.amstat.org/blog/2017/06/01/interview-with-keith-mitchell-prime-minister-of-grenada/ | date=1 June 2017 | work=Amstat News | access-date=31 July 2021}}

Mitchell was a cricketer, a spin bowler who captained the Grenada team in 1973.{{cite web|title=Keith Mitchell|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/310/310544/310544.html|website=CricketArchive|access-date=14 May 2016}} He has since been a prominent cricket administrator in the West Indies alongside his political career.{{cite web|last1=Cozier|first1=Tony|title=West Indies cricket needs Legends' clout|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/1006527.html|website=Cricinfo|access-date=14 May 2016}}

In the December 1984 general election, Mitchell was elected to a seat in the House of Representatives from St. George North West constituency and he has held the seat in each subsequent election.{{cite web|title=New prime minister of Grenada sworn in|work=Caribbean Net News|date=10 July 2008|access-date=1 December 2014|url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-9056--32-32--.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731192757/http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-9056--32-32--.html|archive-date=31 July 2008|url-status=dead}} Mitchell was elected as leader of the NNP in January 1989,Political Parties of the World (6th edition, 2005), ed. Bogdan Szajkowski, page 265."Jul 1989 - Grenada", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 35, July 1989, Grenada, page 36,812. defeating Prime Minister Herbert Blaize. Blaize then dismissed Mitchell from his position as Minister of Communications and Works on 21 July 1989.

After the NNP was victorious in the general election held on 20 June 1995, winning eight out of 15 seats in the House of Representatives, Mitchell took office as Prime Minister, along with his Cabinet, on 22 June."Jun 1995 - New Grenada Cabinet", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 41, June 1995, Grenada, page 40,592. Under Mitchell's leadership, the party won all 15 seats in the early election held in January 1999, and the NNP narrowly won a third term in power in the November 2003 election, reduced to a one-seat parliamentary majority. Mitchell held the additional portfolio of Minister of Finance for three periods.

The New National Party was defeated in the general election held on 8 July 2008 by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), winning only four seats against 11 for the NDC.{{cite web|first=George|last=Worme|title=Thomas wins by a landslide in Grenada |date=10 July 2008|url=http://www.nationnews.com/story/117373983578346.php|newspaper=The Nation |location=Barbados|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714124028/http://www.nationnews.com/story/117373983578346.php |archive-date=14 July 2008 |access-date=1 December 2014 |url-status=dead}} Mitchell himself was re-elected to his seat from St. George North West.{{cite web |author= |title=A decisive victory: Let there be no doubt |work=grenadabroadcast.com |date= |access-date=1 December 2014 |url=http://www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/2818/1/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803064311/http://www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/2818/1/ |archive-date=3 August 2008 |url-status=dead}} NDC leader Tillman Thomas succeeded Mitchell as Prime Minister on 9 July. Mitchell said that the people voted for change and congratulated Thomas. Following the election, he continued as NNP leader and was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition on 16 July 2008.[http://www.belgrafix.com/gtoday/2008news/Jul/Jul26/Mitchell-is-new-Opposition-Leader.htm "Mitchell is new Opposition Leader"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012194513/http://www.belgrafix.com/gtoday/2008news/Jul/Jul26/Mitchell-is-new-Opposition-Leader.htm |date=12 October 2008 }}, Grenada Today, 26 July 2008.

In the February 2013 general election, the NNP again won all 15 parliamentary seats. After this resounding victory, Mitchell was sworn in as Prime Minister on 20 February 2013.[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Clean-sweep_13681618 "Clean sweep"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082413/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Clean-sweep_13681618 |date=4 March 2016 }}, Jamaica Observer, 21 February 2013. Looking ahead to the next election, Mitchell predicted that his party could win all 15 seats in parliament for a third time. Mitchell and his New National Party created history by retaining all 15 seats in the Grenada General Election of 13 March 2018. It is the first time any political party regionally or otherwise has achieved such a feat.{{cite news|title=Clean sweep! Grenada PM predicts repeat victory|url=http://wicnews.com/caribbean/clean-sweep-grenada-pm-predicts-repeat-victory-21217552/|access-date=9 November 2017|work=WIC News|date=9 November 2017}} Mitchell held the additional portfolio of Minister of Finance until 2020.{{Cite web|url=http://www.loopnewscaribbean.com/content/grenada-pm-passes-torch-new-finance-minister|title=Grenada PM passes Finance ministry torch|website=www.loopnewscaribbean.com|access-date=10 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410222455/http://www.loopnewscaribbean.com/content/grenada-pm-passes-torch-new-finance-minister|url-status=dead}}

In June 2022, Mitchell called a snap general election. His New National Party was defeated by the National Democratic Congress under Dickon Mitchell (no relation), winning just 6 seats to the NDC's 9.{{cite news |last1=Today |first1=Barbados |title=GRENADA ELECTIONS - Opposition National Democratic Congress wins general elections |url=https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/06/23/grenada-elections-opposition-national-democratic-party-wins-general-elections/ |work=Barbados Today |date=24 June 2022}} Mitchell subsequently became Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives of Grenada. Ahead of the 2024 national convention of the NNP, Mitchell announced that he would not seek re-election as leader, stepping back after over 35 years in the role. He was succeeded as leader by Emmalin Pierre. Mitchell subsequently resigned as Leader of the Opposition on 21 February 2025, recommending Pierre as his successor.

In 1997, Mitchell became the first prime minister since Maurice Bishop to visit Cuba, signing an economic cooperation agreement.{{Cite news |last=Rohter |first=Larry |date=1997-05-11 |title=U.S. Calm Over Cuba-Grenada Ties |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/11/world/us-calm-over-cuba-grenada-ties.html |access-date=2022-06-30 |issn=0362-4331}} He re-established relations with the People's Republic of China in 2005.{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2020 |title=Grenada PM pledges continued support for China {{!}} Loop Caribbean News |url=https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/grenada-pm-pledges-continued-support-china |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=Loop News |language=en}}

Mitchell approved 1996 plans by the United States Coast Guard to build a base on Petite Martinique.{{Cite news |last=Rohter |first=Larry |date=1996-10-14 |title=No Thanks! And You Can Tell It to the Marines |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/14/world/no-thanks-and-you-can-tell-it-to-the-marines.html |access-date=2022-06-30 |issn=0362-4331}} He allowed medical visits from USNS Comfort (T-AH-20).{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2019 |title=Comfort Begins Medical Services in Grenada |url=https://www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/Article/1966526/comfort-begins-medical-services-in-grenada/ |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=U.S. Southern Command |language=en-US}}

Recipient of the Order of José Martí of Cuba.

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20141018095804/http://www.gov.gd/biographies/keith_mitchell_bio.html "Biography: Keith Claudius Mitchell"]. Official website of the government of Grenada.
• [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-19596909 Profile] at BBC
• [https://www.global-briefing.org/2015/01/were-making-it-attractive-for-grenadians-to-return-home/ Interview] with Global: the international briefing (2015)

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Category:1946 births

Category:American University alumni

Category:Grenadian Roman Catholics

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