Florida now has its 19th Lieutenant Governor. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, also the first Hispanic to hold the post, was sworn in during a private ceremony Monday morning surrounded by his family. Following the ceremony, Lopez-Cantera and Governor Rick Scott described themselves as excited to be working together.
“The governor has been doing a good job. I just look forward to being a part of the team and helping him in any way I can," said Lopez-Cantera.
"He’s going to do a great job. Look at all the relationships he’s had to get all the things he’s got done. He ushered in tax reform. He was a Majority Leader, Majority Whip. He is going to do a good job. He’s got a lot of relationships across the state because he was in the House eight years. It’s going to be exciting to work together,” added Scott.
Scott says Lopez-Cantera will be instrumental in helping him secure a $500 million tax cut, which is the centerpiece of the governor’s legislative agenda.
Lopez-Cantera replaces Jennifer Carroll, who resigned amid a veterans’ charity scandal—leaving the post vacant for about 10 months. Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Governor’s office confirmed Monday that Lopez-Cantera will be Scott’s running mate in November’s general election.
There will also be a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony at 5 p.m. Monday in the House chambers.
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