Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio | |
---|---|
![]() | |
United States Senator from Florida | |
Assumed office January 3, 2011 Serving with Bill Nelson | |
Preceded by | George LeMieux |
Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives | |
In office January 2, 2007 – January 2, 2009 | |
Preceded by | Allan Bense |
Succeeded by | Ray Sansom |
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 11th District | |
In office January 25, 2000 – January 2, 2009 | |
Preceded by | Carlos Valdes |
Succeeded by | Erik Fresen |
Personal details | |
Born | Marco Antonio Rubio May 28, 1971 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Jeanette Dousdebes |
Children | 4 |
Alma mater | University of Florida (B.A.) University of Miami (J.D.) |
Profession | Lawyer |
Website | www |
Marco Antonio Rubio (born May 28, 1971) is the junior United States Senator from Florida, serving since January 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives (2007–2009).
A Cuban American native of Miami, Florida, Rubio is a graduate of the University of Florida and the University of Miami Law School. In the late 1990s, he served as a City Commissioner for West Miami and was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000, representing the 111th House district. He was elected Speaker in November 2006.
Rubio announced a run for U.S. Senate in May 2009 after incumbent Republican Mel Martinez resigned. Initially trailing by double-digits against the incumbent Republican Governor Charlie Crist, Rubio eventually surpassed him in polling for the Republican nomination. Rubio won the Republican nomination after Crist opted instead for an independent run. In a three-way split against Crist and Democratic candidate Kendrick Meek, Rubio won the general election in November 2010 with 48.9 percent of the vote.
The term "crown prince of the Tea Party movement" has been used both as praise and ridicule, although Rubio has no direct connection to that movement.[1][2] While it was reported in June 2012 that Mitt Romney was vetting Rubio as a possible running mate, Romney ultimately selected Paul Ryan.[3] Rubio gave the Republican response to President Barack Obama's 2013 State of the Union Address.[4]
Early life, education, and early political career
Rubio was born in Miami, Florida,[5] the second son and third child of Mario Rubio and Oria Garcia. His parents were Cubans who had immigrated to the United States in 1956 and were naturalized as U.S. citizens in 1975.[6] Rubio's maternal grandfather immigrated to the U.S. in 1962 without a visa and was detained by immigration authorities. An immigration judge ordered Rubio's grandfather deported,[7] but U.S. immigration authorities allowed him to remain in the U.S. without a visa.[8]
Rubio's family was Roman Catholic, though from age 8 to age 11, he and his family attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while they lived in Las Vegas.[9] He received his first communion as a Catholic in 1984, before moving back to Miami with his family a year later. He was confirmed and married in the Catholic Church.[10][11]
Rubio attended South Miami Senior High School and graduated in 1989. He then attended Tarkio College for one year on a football scholarship from 1989 to 1990, before enrolling at Santa Fe Community College (now Santa Fe College). He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida in 1993, and his J.D. degree cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law in 1996.[12] Rubio stated that his education resulted in $100,000 of student loans, which he paid off in 2012. [13]
While studying law, he interned for U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.[14] He served as City Commissioner for West Miami.[12]
Florida House of Representatives
Elections
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Dennis_Baxley_and_Marco_Rubio.jpg/220px-Dennis_Baxley_and_Marco_Rubio.jpg)
Rubio was elected at the age of 28 to the Florida House of Representatives, representing Miami in Florida's 111th House District. He defeated Democrat Anastasia M. Garcia 72%-28% in a January 2000 special election.[15][16][17] In November 2000, he won re-election unopposed.[18] In 2002, he won re-election to a second full term unopposed.[19] In 2004, he won re-election to a third full term with 66% of the vote.[20] In 2006, he won re-election to a fourth full term unopposed.[21]
Tenure
Rubio was named Freshman of the Year by the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association.[22]
He is the author of the book 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida's Future, which includes information that Rubio compiled while traveling around the state and talking with citizens. This was done through what Rubio calls "Idearaisers". Many of the issues that he pushed for in his first year as speaker came from ideas in this book.[23] In 2007, Marco Rubio championed a major overhaul of the Florida tax system, arguing it would reduce property taxes and decrease the size of government.[24]
During his tenure serving as Speaker of the Florida House, Rubio shared his residence with another Florida State Representative, David Rivera. The two men co-owned a home together in Tallahassee, which later fell into foreclosure after deferring months of mortgage payments. This issue surfaced in June 2010, during Rubio's run for the US Senate but was considered resolved according to Rubio's spokesman.[25]
In December 2002, Rubio was appointed House Majority Leader by Speaker Johnnie Byrd.[26][27] In November 2003, Rubio clinched the Speakership after State Representatives Dennis Baxley, Jeff Kottkamp, and Dennis A. Ross dropped out. He became the first Cuban American to become Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.[28]
Committee assignments
- 2000
- Community Colleges & Career Prep
- Elder Affairs & Long-Term Care
- Finance & Taxation
- Joint Legislative Committee on Article V
- Real Property & Probate
- 2001-2003
- Banking
- Claims
- General Government Appropriations
- Health Regulation
- Procedural & Redistricting Council (Group A)
- Procedural & Redistricting Council (Group D)
- Select Committee of the Whole
- Select Committee on Security
- Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations[29][30]
- 2004
- Appropriations
- Policy
- Select Committee of the Whole
- Select Committee on Affordable Housing[31]
- 2005-2009
- Select Committee to Protect Private Property Rights (Chair)
- Fiscal Council
- Rules & Calendar Council
- Select Committee on Medicaid Reform
- Spaceport & Technology Committee[32][33]
U.S. Senate
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Marco_Rubio_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/220px-Marco_Rubio_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg)
2010 election
On May 5, 2009, Rubio announced on his website that he planned to run for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez, who had resigned and been replaced by George LeMieux. Prior to the announcement, he had been meeting with fundraisers and supporters throughout the state.[34] Initially trailing by double-digits against the incumbent Governor of his own party, Charlie Crist, Rubio eventually surpassed Crist in polling for the Republican nomination.[35][36]
On April 28, 2010, Crist announced he would be running as an independent, effectively ceding the Republican nomination to Rubio.[37] Several of Crist's top fundraisers, as well as Republican leadership, refused to support Crist after Rubio won the Republican nomination for the Senate.[38][39][40]
On November 2, 2010, Marco Rubio won the general election with 48.9 percent of the vote to Crist's 29.7 and Democrat Kendrick Meek's 20.1.[41] On May 20, 2011, Marco Rubio visited Puerto Rico's governor, Luis Fortuño, and made a statement of wanting to "represent the Puerto Ricans" since he already felt he owed those who had voted for him in the Florida election.[42]
Following his victory in the elections, Rubio soon became the subject of speculation as a potential Republican candidate for the 2012 presidential election.[43][44] Rubio stated shortly after taking office that he has no interest in running for president or vice president in 2012.[45]
Tenure
Upon taking office, Rubio hired Cesar Conda, former lobbyist and policy adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney as his chief of staff.[46]
Rubio cosponsored a resolution, which was passed, to declare September as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month.[47]
Rubio's amendment, co-sponsored by Joe Manchin, to allow employers to be exempted from newly mandated coverage for contraception, based on religious or moral grounds by such employers, did not pass the Senate.[48]
Rubio was chosen to deliver the GOP response in both English and Spanish after President Obama’s State of the Union Address on February 12, 2013.[49]
Budget and the economy
Rubio voted against the 2012 Fiscal Cliff Resolutions in the hopes of maintaining principles with the party. Although he has received criticism for this position and is said to be alienating members of the Republican party, he remains resolute in his goals to keep taxes lowered. He has been accused by some of being too extreme within the party and could potentially cause a divide. Whereas Paul Ryan is seen as more of a political pragmatist in his support for the resolution to gain popular support, Rubio prefers his principled stances.[50] Rubio rose to prominence through his base due to his pledge for fiscal responsibility and determination on not raising taxes. However, despite his constant resilience on fiscal platforms, in 2012 he urged his party to compromise on the DREAM Act to keep from alienating Hispanic voters from the Republican party.[51]
When he delivered the official response to the 2013 State of the Union address, liberal[citation needed] commentators criticized Rubio for blaming government actions as being the main cause of the housing crisis; saying that it had been laxity of regulation he had supported which lead to the problem.[52][53]
Immigration
In January 2013, Senator Rubio proposed a plan that contemplates citizenship for undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States. Rubio’s proposal, which deviates from the Republican party’s long-held position that offering citizenship to undocumented immigrants could amount to amnesty, includes a series of steps for obtaining legal status, such as fines, back taxes, background checks, and a lengthy probationary period. [54]
Committee assignments
- Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
- Committee on Foreign Relations
- Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Narcotics Affairs (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs
- Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
- Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs, and International Environmental Protection
- Select Committee on Intelligence
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Univision controversy
On July 11, 2011 the widely popular Hispanic television station Univision aired a story about Rubio's brother-in-law's cocaine trafficking conviction.[55] The Miami Herald ran an article saying that Rubio was blackmailed by Univision with this story. The article said that Univision told Rubio they would either air the story or have an interview with him on their political segment "Al Punto." [56] Univision said that they would never have blackmailed Rubio on a conference call with multiple employees and two attorneys present. [57]
Political positions
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Marco_Rubio_by_Gage_Skidmore2.jpg/220px-Marco_Rubio_by_Gage_Skidmore2.jpg)
Rubio generally holds conservative views on fiscal and social issues. He supports an initiative to limit federal spending growth to the per capita inflation rate. He fervently opposes raising the debt limit, as he already believes it is too high and seeks to promote fiscal responsibility. He supports initiatives to balance the federal budget.[58] Rubio supports Social Security reform to bring the program closer out of a deficit. He believes the program should have the age for benefits pushed back to account for Americans living longer.[58] He has stated his support of federal R&D funding and space exploration funding to promote technological innovation, which he sees as critical to the development to the economy.[58] He has goals of eliminating property taxes, or at least limiting them, and replacing them with consumption taxes. He supports extending the Bush tax cuts and believes no taxes should be raised during a recession. He also opposes the Capital Gains tax, stating that it is double taxation. Rubio supports a flat rate federal tax.[58] Though largely supporting the Violence Against Women Act, Rubio voted against the 2013 extension of the act because of some new provisions within the bill.[59]
He has expressed sentiments that 'Radical Islamist Terrorists' pose as the greatest threat to the United States and that these radicals intend to impose their beliefs on the world. He voted 'yes' on extending the Patriot Act's roving wire taps. He was rated B+ by the NRA for his stance on gun control, indicating his pro-gun policies.[58] Rubio identifies as pro-life but recognizes women's right is the law. He also does not believe right to privacy should apply on the issue of abortion, as determined in Roe v. Wade. He opposes federal funding for abortion clinics as well as increasing stem cell research. Rubio opposes same-sex marriage.[58]
Personal life
Rubio married Jeanette Dousdebes, a former bank teller and Miami Dolphins cheerleader, in 1997. She is of Colombian descent, and together they have four children named Amanda, Daniella, Anthony, and Dominic.[60][61] Rubio and his family live in West Miami, Florida.[11][62] Rubio attends Roman Catholic and Southern Baptist churches in West Kendall, Florida.[63][64][65] Rubio in 2012 said, "I'm a Roman Catholic. I'm theologically in line with the Roman Catholic Church. I believe in the authority of the church, but I also have tremendous respect for my brothers and sisters in other Christian faiths. I recognize, as the Catholic Church does, that there are excellent teachings of the Word throughout other denominations."
Rubio has stated that he is an avid fan of Hip Hop music and mentions Tupac, Eminem and Public Enemy among his favorites from the genre.[66][67]
"Son of exiles"
In October 2011, the St. Petersburg Times and The Washington Post reported that Rubio's previous statements that his parents were forced to leave Cuba in 1959, after Fidel Castro came to power, were incorrect as they had in fact left Cuba in 1956 during the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. According to The Washington Post, Rubio's "embellishments" resonate with many voters in Florida, who would not be as impressed by his family being economic migrants seeking a better life in the U.S. instead of political refugees from a communist regime.[6]
Rubio responded, "The real essence of my family's story is not about the date my parents first entered the United States. Or whether they traveled back and forth between the two nations. Or even the date they left Fidel Castro's Cuba forever and permanently settled here. The essence of my family story is why they came to America in the first place; and why they had to stay."[68][69]
Controversies
In June of 2012, Rubio was accused of spending $160,000 on a GOP party credit card for personal expenditures. He repaid the Florida GOP for his actual personal expenses in July.[58]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Marco Rubio | 2,645,743 | 48.9% | ||
Independent | Charlie Crist | 1,607,549 | 29.7% | ||
Democratic | Kendrick Meek | 1,092,936 | 20.2% | ||
Libertarian | Alexander Snitker | 24,850 | 0.5% |
References
- ^ "Midterms 2010: Tea Party 'Crown Prince' Marco Rubio wins". The Daily Telegraph. London. November 3, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
- ^ Roig-Franzia, Manuel (June 15, 2012). "Five myths about Marco Rubio". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
- ^ Lemire, Jonathan (June 19, 2012). "Mitt Romney: Marco Rubio is being 'thoroughly' vetted by campaign as possible VP pick". Daily News. New York. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
- ^ "Sen. Marco Rubio's Response to Obama's State of the Union Address (Transcript)". time.com. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
- ^ Linkins, Jason (October 20, 2011). "Marco Rubio, Bobby Jindal Become Focus Of Bipartisan Birthers". The Huffington Post.
- ^ a b Roig-Franzia, Manuel (October 21, 2011). "Marco Rubio's compelling family story embellishes facts, documents show". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ "Marco Rubio's grandfather ordered deported to Cuba in 1962". Tequesta, FL: WPBF. April 25, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ Roig-Franzia, Manuel (June 17, 2012). "Marco Rubio's grandfather had difficult transition to U.S." The Washington Post. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ Burr, Thomas (June 18, 2012). "Marco Rubio's book explains why he left Mormonism". Salt Lake Tribune.
- ^ Marrapodi, Erin (February 23, 2012). "Sen. Marco Rubio's religious journey: Catholic to Mormon to Catholic to Baptist and Catholic". CNN. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Representative Marco Rubio". Florida House of Representatives.
- ^ a b "Marco Rubio—Biography" (PDF). Republican Business Council. 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ^ http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/transcript-marco-rubios-state-union-response/story?id=18484413
- ^ Clark, Lesley (January 5, 2011). "Miami's Marco Rubio becomes new Florida senator". Miami Herald. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
- ^ Reynolds, Tim (April 5, 2004). "Young Lawmakers Making Their Mark". TheLedger.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "FL State House 111 Special Race - Jan 25, 2000". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "Sun Sentinel report on Rubio". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
- ^ "FL State House 111 Race - Nov 07, 2000". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "FL State House 111 Race - Nov 05, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "FL State House 111 Race - Nov 02, 2004". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "FL State House 111 Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "Florida House of Representatives - Marco Rubio". Myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "Rubio claims 57 of his 100 ideas were made law by the Florida Legislature". Politifact. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ^ "Marco Rubio's U.S. Senate campaign grew out of his 2007 antitax roots". Tampa Bay Times. July 12, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ^ Bender, Michael C. (June 17, 2010). "Rubio faces foreclosure on Tally home; his campaign says it's resolved". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ "Dade Hispanics Set to Get Top Posts in House". Nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- ^ "Two S. Florida Democrats To Lead Senate Committees". Nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- ^ Fineout, Gary (November 15, 2003). "Baxley backs off House leader bid". Ocala.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "Florida House of Representatives - Marco Rubio". Myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "Florida House of Representatives - Marco Rubio". Myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "Florida House of Representatives - Marco Rubio". Myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "Florida House of Representatives - Marco Rubio". Myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "Florida House of Representatives - Marco Rubio". Myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ Reinhard, Beth (March 5, 2009). "Marco Rubio quietly registers to run for U.S. Senate". The Miami Herald.
- ^ "Rubio Edges Crist In Florida Gop Senate Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; President Obama Under Water As Voters Disapprove". Quinnipiac University. January 26, 2010.
- ^ "Election 2010: Florida Republican Primary for Senate". Rasmussen Reports. February 1, 2010. Archived from the original on February 9, 2010. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
- ^ Schwandt, Kimberly (April 28, 2010). "Crist to Run as Independent in FL Sen Race". Fox News. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
- ^ Romm, Tony (April 18, 2010). "McConnell: Crist would lose all GOP support if he ran as independent". The Hill. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
- ^ Martin, Jonathan; Catanese, David (April 17, 2010). "Top Charlie Crist supporters torn over indy bid". Politico. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ Farrington, Brendan; Kay, Jennifer (August 24, 2010). "Marco Rubio Wins Florida GOP Senate Primary". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
- ^ Balz, Dan; Branigin, William (November 3, 2010). "2010 election results show Republicans winning the House, not the Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
- ^ Martínez, Andrea (May 20, 2011). "Senador republicano visita a Fortuño". El Nuevo Dia (in Spanish). Guaynabo, PR. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
{{cite news}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Knickerbocker, Brad (November 6, 2010). "President Obama, Marco Rubio face off on tax cuts". The Christian Science Monitor.
- ^ Goodman, Lee-Anne (November 5, 2010). "Florida's new senator seen as 'Great Right Hope'". Toronto Star.
- ^ Rahn, Will (January 10, 2011). "Marco Rubio: I want to be a senator, not president or vice president". The Daily Caller. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
- ^ Hayes, Stephen (January 28, 2011). "Marco Rubio Picks a Chief of Staff: Cesar Conda". The Weekly Standard.
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(help) - ^ Voss, Laura (September 12, 2011). "Congress Dedicates September as National Spinal Cord Injury Month". Paralyzed Veterans of America.
- ^ "White House Attacks Marco Rubio's Contraception Bill". The Huffington Post. Associated Press. February 13, 2012.
- ^ "State of the Union: Marco Rubio to Deliver Republican Response". ABC News. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
- ^ Reinhard, Beth (January 3, 2013). "Paul Ryan vs. Marco Rubio: The Politics of the Cliff Vote". National Journal.
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(help) - ^ "Marco Rubio". New York Times. July 2, 2012.
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(help) - ^ "No, Marco Rubio, government did not cause the housing crisis."
- ^ Krugman, Paul (February 13, 2013). "Marco Rubio Has Learned Nothing". New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ^ Reiff, Laura Foote (January 28, 2013). "President Obama to Outline Plan for Comprehensive Immigration Reform on Tuesday". The National Law Review. Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Wides-Munoz, Laura (October 5, 2011). "Univision Denies Trying To Entice Marco Rubio By Altering Coverage Of Family". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ Caputo, Mark. "The inside story: Univision's war with Rubio over immigration, drug report". Miami Herald. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ Auletta, Ken. "War of Choice". New Yorker. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Florida Senator Marco Rubio (Republican Jr Senator)". On the Issues.
- ^ Marco Rubio opposes Violence Against Women Act, by SEUNG MIN KIM. Politico, 2/12/13 5:21 PM EST.
- ^ Rettig, Jessica (May 4, 2010). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Marco Rubio". U.S. News and World Report.
- ^ Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours. "The women behind the men who would be Florida's senator - Tampa Bay Times". Tampabay.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "Marco 101". Marco Rubio for US Senate.
- ^ Thompson, Damian (November 12, 2010). "Marco Rubio Tries to Still Debate Over Religion". The Telegraph. London.
- ^ O'Bryan, Jason (November 1, 2010). "What Is Marco Rubio's Religion?". Politics Daily. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
- ^ "Rubio's income grew with his political clout, tax records show". Miami Herald. May 22, 2010.
- ^ http://globalgrind.com/news/marco-rubio-hip-hop-tupac-gq-magazine-interview-photos
- ^ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/july-august/marco-rubio-faith-of-many-colors.html?start=1
- ^ "Marco Rubio: My family's flight from Castro". Politico. October 21, 2011.
- ^ "Marco Rubio's story". Los Angeles Times. October 30, 2011.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Senator Marco Rubio official U.S. Senate website
- Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate official campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
- 1971 births
- American Roman Catholics
- American politicians of Cuban descent
- Candidates in United States elections, 2010
- Florida city council members
- Florida lawyers
- Florida Republicans
- Hispanic and Latino American people in the United States Congress
- Living people
- Members of the Florida House of Representatives
- People from Miami, Florida
- Republican Party United States Senators
- Speakers of the Florida House of Representatives
- Tea Party movement
- United States Senators from Florida
- University of Florida alumni
- University of Miami School of Law alumni