Jeanette Nuñez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jeanette Nuñez
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Official portrait, 2019
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| 7th President of Florida International University | |
| Assumed office February 17, 2025 Acting: February 17, 2025 – June 18, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Kenneth A. Jessell |
| 20th Lieutenant Governor of Florida | |
| In office January 8, 2019 – February 16, 2025 |
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| Governor | Ron DeSantis |
| Preceded by | Carlos Lopez-Cantera |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Speaker pro tempore of the Florida House of Representatives | |
| In office November 22, 2016 – November 20, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Matt Hudson |
| Succeeded by | MaryLynn Magar |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives | |
| In office November 2, 2010 – November 6, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | David Rivera |
| Succeeded by | Juan Fernandez-Barquin |
| Constituency | 112th district (2010–2012) 119th district (2012–2018) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jeanette Marie Sánchez
June 6, 1972 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Adrian Nuñez
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Florida International University (BA, MPA) |
Jeanette Marie Nuñez (born June 6, 1972) is an American leader in business and education. She was the 20th Lieutenant Governor of Florida from 2019 to 2025. She is a member of the Republican Party.
Before becoming Lieutenant Governor, she served in the Florida House of Representatives. She represented Miami-Dade County from 2010 to 2018. During her last two years in the House, she was the Speaker pro tempore. Jeanette Nuñez was the first Hispanic American woman to serve as Florida's Lieutenant Governor.
In February 2025, Nuñez left her role as Lieutenant Governor. She became the interim president of Florida International University (FIU). In June 2025, she was officially confirmed as the seventh president of FIU.
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Early Life and Education
Jeanette Nuñez was born in Miami. Her parents, Victor C. and Teresa Sánchez, were from Cuba. She is one of three daughters.
In 1994, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida International University (FIU). She studied political science and international relations. In 1998, Nuñez continued her studies at FIU. She completed her Master of Public Administration degree.
Career Highlights
After college, Nuñez worked as an aide for state senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla. Later, she worked in the healthcare field. She was a vice president at Jackson Health System.
Nuñez also taught and advised students at Florida International University. She held leadership roles at Kendall Regional Medical Center and Aventura Hospital & Medical Center. These experiences prepared her for her public service roles.
Serving in the Florida House of Representatives
In 2010, Jeanette Nuñez ran for the Florida House of Representatives. The previous representative, David Rivera, could not run again. Nuñez ran for the 112th district. This district included parts of Broward, Collier, and Miami-Dade Counties.
She promised to help the economy and improve healthcare programs. Nuñez won the Republican primary election with 66% of the votes. In the general election, she faced Sandra Ruiz and Robert Van Name. Nuñez focused her campaign on creating jobs. She also wanted to lower taxes for businesses and property owners. She won the election with 56% of the votes.
In 2012, Florida's legislative districts were redrawn. Nuñez then ran for reelection in the 119th district. She won the Republican primary with 73% of the vote. In the general election, she easily won reelection.
During the 2014 legislative session, Nuñez worked on an important law. She helped create a bill that allowed children of undocumented immigrants to pay in-state college tuition. This meant they could pay the same lower tuition rates as other Florida residents. The legislature passed this bill.
In 2018, Nuñez introduced a bill to make daylight saving time permanent in Florida. This bill was called the "Sunshine Protection Act." For this change to happen nationwide, the federal government needed to act. Senator Marco Rubio supported a similar bill in the Senate.
Becoming Lieutenant Governor of Florida
On September 5, 2018, Ron DeSantis chose Jeanette Nuñez as his running mate. They ran together in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election. They faced Andrew Gillum and Chris King. DeSantis and Nuñez won the election by a very small margin. Nuñez made history as the first Latina woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Florida.
In 2022, DeSantis and Nuñez were reelected. They won with 59.4% of the vote. This was a large victory, with over 1.6 million more votes than their opponent, Charlie Crist. It was the biggest win for a Republican governor in Florida's history. They also won in Miami-Dade County for the first time since 2002 for a Republican governor.
Time in Office
Nuñez became Lieutenant Governor on January 8, 2019. She took over from Carlos Lopez-Cantera. While in office, she held many meetings and events. These events supported people who had left Venezuela.
In February 2025, Nuñez resigned from her role as Lieutenant Governor. She was appointed as the interim president of Florida International University.
Leading Florida International University
On February 17, 2025, Governor DeSantis appointed Nuñez as the interim president of Florida International University (FIU). In June 2025, she was confirmed as the seventh president of FIU.
Political Views
Immigration
Jeanette Nuñez has spoken about immigration. She explained that states do not control immigration laws. However, states are responsible for the well-being of their residents. She said that entering the country illegally and seeking asylum from a dictatorship are different situations. Nuñez also mentioned that Governor DeSantis would consider sending people to other states, like Delaware.
Personal Life
Jeanette Nuñez married Adrian Nuñez in 1997. They have three children together. Nuñez is Roman Catholic. In 2024, she gave the commencement speech to the graduating class at Pensacola Christian College.
See also
In Spanish: Jeanette Núñez para niños
