Rick Scott names Representative Jennifer Carroll as running mate(press release, video)

Rick Scott names Representative Jennifer Carroll as running mate(press release, video)

Rick Scott, the conservative GOP gubernatorial candidate, named Representative Jennifer Carroll as his running mate on Thursday. Jennifer Carroll is the first female, African American Republican in the Florida legislature and many wonder if she will be invaluable in securing the female and African American vote for Scott.

Rick Scott released a press release and background information on Jennifer Carroll. You may read that release below as well as a video report from the Tampa Tribune.

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Rick Scott announced that Representative Jennifer Carroll of Fleming Island will be his pick for Lieutenant Governor. Carroll is the House Representative for District 13, which is in Jacksonville. Carroll is the first African American Republican woman to be part of a statewide ticket in Florida. She was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad West Indies and legally immigrated to the United States as a young girl. Like Rick, Carroll served in the United States Navy.

Her career in uniform spanned 20 years, she started as an enlisted service member and worked her way up to officer. She is also a small business owner who believes in conservative principles and knows what is needed to create jobs. She shares Rick’s conservative values – both believe in small government, lower taxes, reducing regulation, personal responsibility and personal freedom. Carroll also opposes using stimulus money to paper over deficits, government control of healthcare through Obamacare, and increased regulation like cap and trade.

“I am very pleased to announce that Jennifer Carroll is joining me on this campaign to change Florida for the better,” said Scott. “She is the embodiment of the American Dream. She came to America as a young girl, decided to serve her country with the United States Navy, pursued a higher education, started a small business, and then was elected the first African American female Republican in the Florida State Legislature. Her conservative principles are in line with mine and ensures this fall will present a clear choice between conservatives with business experience and a plan to create 700,000 jobs and liberal Obamacrats who want to bring the failed Obama agenda to Florida.”

“I want to thank Rick Scott for the opportunity to join him in this race as his pick for Lieutenant Governor,” said Carroll. “Floridians are ready to elect a conservative outsider with private sector experience and a plan to create 700,000 jobs. Rick and I share core conservative principles like lower taxes, less regulation, and smaller government. I look forward to campaigning with Rick against Alex Sink, Rod Smith and their liberal agenda.”

Background

Biographical Information

City of Residence:
Fleming Island

Occupation:
Retired U.S. Navy, Business Owner

Spouse:
Nolan Carroll, of Miami, Florida

Child(ren):
Nolan II, Nyckie, Necho

Education:
St. Leo University, M.B.A.; University of New Mexico, B.A., Political Science

Born:
August 27, 1959, Port of Spain, Trinidad West Indies

Military:
Enlisted in the United States Navy in 1979 and served for 20 years. Served as a jet mechanic and worked her way up through the ranks to retire as a Lieutenant Commander Aviation Maintenance Officer; Meritorious Service Medal; two Navy Commendation Medals; two Navy Achievement Medals; National Defense Service Medal; Overseas Ribbon; two Coast Guard Special Operation Ribbons; Expert Pistol Medal

Moved to Florida:
1986

Religious Affiliation:
Christian

Recreational Interest:
stained glass creation, traveling

Legislative Service

Elected to the House May 13, 2003, reelected subsequently

First Black Female Republican elected to the Florida Legislature

Appointed Deputy Majority Leader by Speaker Johnnie Byrd 2003-2004

Majority Whip 2004-2006

Other Public Service

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Executive Director

Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women

Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council

Presidential Scholars Commission

Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission

Affiliations

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

American Legion Post 0197, Lifetime Member

Dye-Clay YMCA of Clay County, Board Member

Clay County Republican Executive Committee

Federated Republican Women of Clay County

Fleet Reserve Association Post 128, Member

NAACP, Lifetime Member

NRA, Lifetime Member

Orange Park Rotary, Honorary Member

Paul Harris Fellow

Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated, Dual Member

Unified Sportsmen of Florida

Highlights

Florida County Veterans Service Officers Association, Legislator of the Year 2009

Christian Coalitional of Florida, Faith and Family Award 2005, 2008

Black Political Action Committee’s 2005 Vikki Buckley Political Leadership Award

Orange Park Rotary Club Citizen of the Year Award 2005

Northeast Florida Realtors Association “Legislator of the Year” 2004

Republican Club of Clay County, “Top 10″ Republican Award 1999, 2002

Center for New Black Leadership, Excellence in Leadership Award 2001

Appointed by President George W. Bush to “The White House Presidential Scholars Commission” 2001-2004

Appointed by President George W. Bush to the Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission, 2004-2007

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Former Executive Director: was responsible for the claims and benefits of over 1.8 million veterans. In fiscal year 2001, under her leadership, more than $63 million in retroactive compensation was awarded to Florida veterans.

She was also responsible for the agency’s $30 million budget, legislation, three state nursing homes, and one domiciliary home. As a former registered lobbyist in the State of Florida, she lobbied for the retention of state construction funds for the Bay and Charlotte County State Veterans’ Nursing Homes and led the generation of two federal matching grant applications that resulted in $15 million of federal funds for these projects.

First Coast African American Women Award 1998

Leadership Jacksonville Class of ’97

Project Blue Print Class of ’97, graduate

Clay County Chamber of Commerce, Military Person of the Year 1996

YMCA Black Achievers Award 1996
Clay County Young Republican Club “One of Clay’s Most Influential People”

Florida Assembly of Black Republicans, Honorary Chair

Florida’s Council on Homelessness, former Chairperson: she sought ways for Florida to provide enhanced services toward solving homeless problems in the state and particularly within the veterans’ community.
Republican Party of Florida African American Leadership Council, Chair

Tampa Crime Examiner Charisse Van Horn

Tampa Headlines Examiner Charisse Van Horn

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