© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

DeSantis Chooses Rep. Jeanette Nuñez As His Running Mate

Florida House of Representatives

State Representative Jeanette Nuñez is Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis’ pick for lieutenant governor in Florida’s gubernatorial race. Nuñez, a Cuban-American from Miami, is a hit with Florida’s Republican Party — but isn’t exactly a conventional pick.

In a now-deleted tweet from 2016, Nuñez called President Donald Trump “the biggest con-man there is,” and expressed support for Marco Rubio. The Associated Press reports DeSantis called Nuñez’s tweet a “non-factor” when announcing the pick. Now, she’s sharing a ticket with DeSantis, who’s endorsed by Trump.

Nuñez made waves in 2014 when she successfully sponsored a bill to allow children of unauthorized immigrants to pay in-state college tuition. DeSantis is a vocal supporter of immigration enforcement.

On the Democratic side of the Florida Governor’s race, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who won the primary as a progressive, has chosen another progressive, Chris King, as his running mate.

Ryan Dailey is a reporter/producer for WFSU/Florida Public Radio. After graduating from Florida State University, Ryan went into print journalism working for the Tallahassee Democrat for five years. At the Democrat, he worked as a copy editor, general assignment and K-12 education reporter.