Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera hit YouTube Wednesday morning to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, but he chose a massive warehouse at All-American Containers in Miami to make the formal announcement.
The lieutenant governor spoke in front of a crowd of about 100 people to tell them he’s ready to be “part of the solution, not part of the problem” in Washington, D.C. Surrounded by friends, supporters and many of his family members, Lopez-Cantera explained his close family is a huge support system for him and ultimately helped him decide to make a bid for the nation's capital.
“As a family, we have decided I am going to run for U.S. Senate,” he said.
In his speech, Lopez-Cantera used his time in Florida politics, especially his time as Gov. Rick Scott’s second-in-command, to tout the state’s economic gains, including nearly 900,000 new jobs and lower tax rates. He told the crowd he would make Washington work for the Sunshine State again if he is elected to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Marco Rubio.
“The money that government spends is your money, not [the] government’s,” said Lopez-Cantera. “Now, that doesn’t sound a lot like Washington, D.C., does it? But it’s why I’m running.”
Lopez-Cantera said he’s learned two things in his travels around the state of Florida as LG: People are happy and pleased with the economic opportunities in Florida, and they’re tired of Washington, D.C.
“They’ve had enough, and frankly, so have I,” said Lopez-Cantera to a cheering crowd.
The former Dade property appraiser and state rep vowed to be part of the solution in Washington, D.C. He pledged to lend a hand in the fight against oppression in both Cuba and Venezuela, and vowed to remain committed to the country’s “most important bond” with Israel.
Most of all, Lopez-Cantera didn’t back down from his deep love of the country his family immigrated to many years ago.
“I believe the United States of America is the greatest country in the history of the world, and we need to start acting like it again,” he said.
After he gave his speech in English, Lopez-Cantera gave the same remarks in Spanish.
When Sunshine State News asked Lopez-Cantera whether the “nice guy” image would be a help or a hindrance to his campaign, he said he didn’t think it would be a problem.
“I was brought up to respect everybody and to try and help everybody,” he told SSN. “This country created opportunities for my family when they got here with nothing more than the clothes on their backs ... they showed that you need to always respect people until they give you a reason not to.”
Lopez-Cantera is well-known for his frugality in office, a quality he believes will help him significantly if elected to the Senate.
“I believe government should make do with as little of taxpayer dollars as possible,” he told SSN, pointing to his success at cutting the budget while he worked as property appraiser in Dade County.
Lopez-Cantera didn’t waste time laying into President Barack Obama over his executive order on immigration.
“I believe in the Constitution and in the rule of law, but I believe the Congress is the legislative body, not the president,” Lopez-Cantera, known around Tallahassee as CLC, said on Obama’s immigration order.
The Florida Democratic Party has been particularly critical over Lopez-Cantera in recent weeks.
“I’m sure they’re all broken up about [my running,]” CLC said. “I think they see me as a threat ... and the candidate that would not be for the status quo of Obama, Pelosi and Reid in Washington, D.C.”
On top of working against a liberal agenda, CLC said he not only talks the talk, but walks the walk when it comes to making significant changes in office.
“I am a candidate that has a proven record,” said CLC.
But the main reason Lopez-Cantera thinks the Democrats are shaking in their boots?
“They see me as a candidate who can win,” he said.
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen at allison@sunshinestatenew.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen
