Jeanette Nuñez
Jeanette Nuñez | |
---|---|
20th Lieutenant Governor of Florida | |
Assumed office January 8, 2019 | |
Governor | Ron DeSantis |
Preceded by | Carlos Lopez-Cantera |
Speaker pro tempore of the Florida House of Representatives | |
In office November 22, 2016 – November 20, 2018 | |
Preceded by | Matt Hudson |
Succeeded by | MaryLynn Magar |
Member of the Florida House of Representatives | |
In office November 2, 2010 – November 6, 2018 | |
Preceded by | David Rivera |
Succeeded by | Juan Fernandez-Barquin |
Constituency | 112th district (2010–2012) 119th district (2012–2018) |
Personal details | |
Born | Jeanette Marie Sanchez June 6, 1972 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Adrian Nuñez (m. 1997) |
Children | 3 |
Education | Florida International University (BA, MPA) |
Jeanette Marie Nuñez (née Sánchez; born June 6, 1972) is an American businesswoman and politician serving as the 20th lieutenant governor of Florida since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she represented Miami-Dade County in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018, also serving as speaker pro tempore for her final two years in the office. Nuñez is the first Latina to serve as Florida lieutenant governor.
Early life and education
Nuñez was born in
Career
Her first job after completing her undergraduate studies was as an aide to state senator
Florida House of Representatives
When incumbent state representative
When the state's legislative districts were redrawn in 2012, Nuñez was drawn into the 119th district, where she opted to seek re-election. She was challenged in the Republican primary by Libby Perez, but easily won renomination with 73% of the vote. Nuñez only faced write-in opposition in the general election and easily won re-election.
During the 2014 legislative session, Nuñez worked with state senator Jack Latvala to sponsor legislation that "would allow the children of undocumented immigrants to pay the same in-state tuition rates for college as other Floridians,"[8] which ended up passing the legislature.
As reported by The Hill in 2018, Nuñez introduced legislation in Florida "to standardize daylight saving time for the entire calendar year". To make the "Sunshine Protection Act" nationwide, Senator Marco Rubio sponsored a bill in the Senate since the state bill cannot take effect until the federal government makes the change. This is because the "provision would shift the state into a different time zone permanently", something which requires a federal regulatory action or an act of Congress.[9]
Lieutenant governor of Florida
Selection
On September 5, 2018, Representative Ron DeSantis selected Nuñez to be his running mate in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election, facing off against Andrew Gillum and his running mate Chris King.[10] DeSantis and Nuñez would go on to win the election by a margin of less than half of a percentage point.[11] Nuñez is the first Latina woman to serve as lieutenant governor of Florida.[12]
In 2022 DeSantis and Nuñez were reelected with 59.4% of the vote, representing a more than 1.6 million vote margin over Charlie Crist. It was the largest margin of any Republican ever elected governor of Florida and included wins in Miami-Dade for a Republican gubernatorial candidate the first time since 2002, as well as other counties that had similarly voted for Democrats even longer.
Tenure
Nuñez was sworn in as lieutenant governor on January 8, 2019, succeeding fellow Republican Carlos Lopez-Cantera.[13] During her time in office, she has hosted various roundtables and events in support of exiles from Venezuela.[14][15]
Political positions
Immigration
Nuñez received scrutiny when she commented "Although states do not have jurisdiction over the well-being of our residents. Entering the country illegally and fleeing a dictatorship to seek asylum are two different things, and misrepresenting that is offensive." This comment was on the matter of Cuban refugees.[16][17]
Personal life
Jeanette Nuñez married Adrian Nuñez in 1997. They have three children.
See also
References
- ^ "Florida Lt. Gov. Nunez's father, Cuban exile, dies at 84". apnews. November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ "DeSantis has chosen first female Cuban-American lieutenant governor running mate". Naples Daily News. September 5, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- ^ "Lieutenant Governor Nuñez". Florida Office of the Governor. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
- ^ a b Swisher, Skyler (September 6, 2018). "Ron DeSantis' running mate Jeanette Nuñez once called Trump a 'con-man.' Here's what you need to know". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
- ^ Miguel-Navarro, Tracy X. (August 19, 2010). "Job creation the key issue to candidates in House race that includes Collier". Naples Daily News. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ^ Miguel-Navarro, Tracy X. (October 27, 2010). "Job creation on minds of candidates for House District 112". Naples Daily News. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ^ "Editorial: Here is a summary of our endorsements in contests in Collier and Lee counties". Naples Daily News. October 4, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ^ Nielsen, Allison (May 1, 2014). "In-State Tuition Bill Soars Through Senate". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ^ Delk, Josh (March 14, 2018). "Rubio legislation would keep daylight saving time year-round". The Hill. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
- ^ Smiley, David (September 5, 2019). "DeSantis picks Miami state legislator Jeanette Nuñez as running mate". Miami Herald. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ Dunkelberger, Lloyd (November 15, 2018). "Ron DeSantis nails down win in Florida governor's race". News4Jax. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ Stofan, Jake (January 7, 2019). "Jeanette Núñez to become first Hispanic female Lieutenant Governor". WJHG. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- ^ Stofan, Jake (January 7, 2019). "Jeanette Núñez to become first Hispanic female Lieutenant Governor". ABC News 7. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (February 16, 2019). "Jeanette Nunez, Casey DeSantis meet with Venezuelan exiles". Fla Pol. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ Holly, Jessica (February 15, 2019). "Florida Lt. Governor Nunez holds roundtable discussion on Venezuela at FIU". WSVN. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ "Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez makes controversial comments on Spanish radio regarding Cuban migrants – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale".
- ^ "Nuñez faces backlash for comments about Cuban migrants".
- ^ "Society for American Archaeology - Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez (R)".