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Former Legislator Carlos Lopez-Cantera Becomes First Hispanic Lt. Governor

Former State Representative and current Miami-Dade County property appraiser Carlos Lopez-Cantera is going back to Tallahassee.

He told reporters on Tuesday he's accepted an appointment as Governor Rick Scott's lieutenant-governor. The makes him the first Hispanic and the first Miami-Dade County resident in Florida history to hold that job.

Lopez-Cantera said his mission is to use his legislative experience and connections to push the governor's agenda."...Make sure we cut 500 million in taxes and give it back to the people, the citizens of the state of Florida, make sure we continue the efforts on teacher pay raises, increasing education funding, things like that", Lopez-Cantera said. "That's probably a better question to ask me six or eight months from now."

Born in Spain to Cuban exile parents, Lopez-Cantera is also the first Florida lieutenant-governor, period, in more than 10 months. The office has been vacant since his predecessor, Jennifer Carroll, resigned last year.