Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is reportedly being considered as a potential replacement of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense nominee as the amount of controversies surrounding him grow. Should this end up happening, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez would make history as the first female and first Cuban-American to lead the state. This potential political shift could reshape Florida's political landscape, where the Latino community represents more than 27.4%.
Nuñez, a Miami native, has held significant roles in Florida politics throughout her career, serving in the state House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018 and as DeSantis' lieutenant governor since then. Known for her strong conservative values, including opposition to abortion rights, support for gun rights, and advocacy for religious freedom, Nuñez has also been a staunch advocate for reducing regulations in the state.
As lieutenant governor she has overseen the Florida Department of Health, chaired Space Florida, and currently serves as chair of Florida's Cybersecurity Task Force. She is also a member of the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.
Nuñez also has experience in the private sector, including serving as vice president of government affairs at Jackson Health System. She has also worked as an adjunct professor at Florida International University.
This potential leadership change in Florida coincides with the growing influence of Florida politics at the national level. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is set to become the next secretary of state. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the first Hispanic and the first Cuban American to hold this position. Former state Attorney General Pam Bondi has also been nominated as AG by Trump after Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration amid controversies of his own.
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