Mitchell Vargas

    

Mitchell Vargas
Vargas in 2020.
34th Vice President of the United Commonwealth of America
Incumbent
Assumed office January 20, 2021
Preceded by	Jonah Smith
President	Arian Lawrence
Member of the United Commonwealth House of Representatives for Hispaniola's 16th district
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2021
Preceded by	Philip Willis
Succeeded by	Leonard Smith
Personal details
Born	(1957-01-12) January 12, 1957 Port Posey, Puerto Rico, Antilles
Nationality	Antillean
Political party	Federalist
Spouse(s)	Donna Hillson (m. 1988; d. 2003)
Children	2
Alma mater	United Commonwealth Naval Academy
Religion	Antillean Christian
Military service
Allegiance	Antilles
Branch/service	Antillean Navy
Years of service	1975–1989 (active) 1989–2017 (reserve)
Rank	Commander
Commands	UCAS Lancer (1987-1989)
Battles/wars	Antillean War

Mitchell Emilio Vargas (born January 12, 1957) is an Antillean politician and former soldier serving as the 34th Vice President of the United Commonwealth of America since 2021. A member of the Federalist Party, Vargas previously served as a member of the United Commonwealth House of Representatives, representing the entirety of Cape Washington from 1993 to 2021. Before entering politics, Vargas was a commander in the Antillean Navy, serving during the Antillean War.

Born in Port Posely, Puerto Rico, Vargas grew up in Saint Johns. After high school, Vargas enlisted in the Antillean Navy, attending the United Commonwealth Naval Academy in Whiteport and entering active service in 1975. Vargas served during the Antillean War, participating in a naval invasion of the Bahamas. After the war's conclusion, Vargas continued his naval service, eventually being promoted to the rank of commander and gaining command of the frigate UCAS Lancer. Vargas retired in 1989 in preparation for his entry into politics. Vargas ran for and be elected to a seat in the House of Representatives as a Federalist, being elected to represent the entirety of Cape Washington.

During his career in the House of Representatives, Vargas supported socially conservative and pro-military legislation. Vargas was a co-sponsor of the 1996 Defend Our Islands Act, which increased the already large military budget and supported the 2006 attempt to re-implement the requirement for military service for federal suffrage. He also supported legislation designed to "greater promote the American way" in Antillean society. In 2015, Vargas was the runner up in the 2015 Speaker of the United Commonwealth House of Representatives election, but lost to Baron Avery. In 2020, Vargas was selected as the Federalist Party's vice presidential nominee, following presidential nominee and Secretary of the Army Arian Lawrence into the general election, with the two defeating Civic Democratic nominees William Abernathy and Allen Paul. He is the first person of some Hispanic descent to serve as vice president.

Politically, Vargas identifies as a social conservative, nationalist, and staunch militarist. On social policy, Vargas is an opponent of same-sex marriage and is profoundly against the legalization of labor unions, calling them subversive and "staunchly anti-America". On economic policy, Vargas supports the de-regulation of most industries in the Antilles, specifically the tourism and gambling industry. Despite this, Vargas also supports the creation of a federally mandated hour schedule. On foreign policy, Vargas is against the Antilles' ascension into the Conference of American States, being a staunch critic of American unionism. On the other hand, Vargas is supportive of the nation's ascension into the Northern Treaty Organization and continued military relationships with Sierra and other western nations.

Early life, education, and career

Mitchell Emilio Vargas was born on January 12, 1957 to John and Maria Vargas at Swanson General Hospital in Port Posey, Puerto Rico. Vargas's father served as a member of the Antillean Army during the Great War, while his mother worked part-time at a local diner. Both of his parents were active supporters of the Federalist Party. Vargas was born the oldest of three children, having two younger sisters. Following Vargas's birth, his family moved to Saint Johns, where they lived in a newly-created suburban neighborhood just three miles from downtown.

During his early childhood, Vargas became infatuated with the military, largely a product of the stories his father tell according to family members and friends. Vargas was especially interested in the Antillean Navy. Vargas attended Central Island Elementary School from 1962 to 1968 and later Saint Johns Middle School from 1968 to 1971. In 1971, Vargas began attending Hispaniola High School in southern Saint Johns, were he played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher. During his sophomore year, Vargas joined the Federalist Youth of America, the youth wing of the Federalist Party, becoming interested in Federalist politics. Vargas graduated from Hispaniola High School in 1975, having one of the highest marks amongst his graduating class.

Military career

In 1975, Vargas began attending the United Commonwealth Naval Academy in Whiteport and enlisted in the United Commonwealth Navy. Although technically beginning active service immediately following his enlistment, he continued his education at the United Commonwealth Naval Academy until 1979 before actively serving. In 1979, Vargas was assigned to the corvette UCAS Brigadier, which he served on until 1981, when he was reassigned to the destroyer UCAS Thomas Jefferson, becoming the executive officer, the second in command to the commanding officer of the ship. Vargas participated in the Antillean War, assisting in the initial blockade of Nassau. He was commended for his bravery after saving three of crewmates after the Thomas Jefferson was bombed by Bahamian insurgents.

In 1987, Vargas was given command of the UCAS Lancer, a newly-constructed frigate from Columbia City. He commanded the Lancer for a total of three years before retiring from active naval service in 1989. He retired with the rank of commander.

Vice Presidency

Selection and campaign

Main articles: 2020 Antillean presidential election and 2020 Federalist Party vice presidential candidate selection

Lawrence's campaign logo during the general election.

Personal life

Marriage, family, and interests

While serving in the Antillean Navy, Vargas met and befriend Donna Hillson. Following the conclusion of the Antillean War, the two began a romantic relationship and married in 1988 following Hillson's retirement from military service. The two went onto have two children, Mitchell Jr. in 1990 and Alexandra in 1992. In 2000, Donna was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer. After beginning chemotherapy in 2001, Hillson succumb to the disease in 2003. Her death greatly affect Vargas, who contemplated retirement from politics.

Since childhood, Vargas has been a fan of baseball, playing for his high school team. He is a supporter of the Saint Johns Cowboys, and has commented about the team and their performance on his personal social media accounts. Like most Antilleans, Vargas supports the ascension of Antillean baseball teams into the Conference Baseball Association. Vargas identifies as a native Puerto Rican, claiming ancestry from early Spanish settlers of the island. Vargas is a member of the Christian Church of the Antilles, having converted from Avignon Catholicism earlier in his life.