Carlos Lopez-Cantera Named First Latino Lt. Governor of Florida

Florida Governor Rick Scott announced on Monday the appointment of Florida's first Hispanic Lt. Governor, Carlos Lopez-Cantera. Scott and Lopez-Cantera faced the cameras in a Monday press conference introducing the new Lt. Governor.

"I'm very excited to be a part of this team, and I'm looking forward to getting involved in the action in Tallahassee," Lopez-Cantera said, flanked by his wife and two children. "I'm very excited about getting $500 million back into the pockets of the citizens of the State of Florida.

"I'm very excited about what this governor has done over the last several years. I mean, the numbers show it. You cannot deny that this state is getting better. Things are getting better. The economy is turning around and that is in great part to the leadership of this man, Rick Scott. "

Lopez-Cantera concluded the press conference by saying, "I look forward to this job. I look forward to serving the citizens of Florida. I look forward to the years ahead and what it holds not only for me but for the entire State of Florida. I can't say enough good things about Governor Scott. If everyone could have the type of conversations with this man that I've had on an individual basis have a conversation about his vision for the State of Florida there would be no question about the landslide that we are going to have in November."

Lopez-Cantera was born in Madrid, Spain in 1973, but arrived in Florida in 1974. He was first elected to the Florida House in 2004 and served as the Majority Whip, 2009-2010 and Majority Leader 2010-12. Afterward, he was elected Property Appraiser for Miami-Dade County.

"Carlos Lopez-Cantera will make an outstanding lieutenant governor, and I applaud Governor Rick Scott on his decision," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. "Carlos Lopez-Cantera has exactly the kind of experience Florida needs; he is a proven leader and will be an important voice in our party.

"He's also made history today by becoming Florida's first Hispanic lieutenant governor. He is one of over 160 Hispanic Republicans in public office who are working diligently to keep government accountable and making sure our country continues to move in the right direction at the local, state and federal levels."