Jennifer Carroll

For the American chef, see Jennifer Carroll (chef). For the Canadian swimmer, see Jennifer Carroll (swimmer).
Jennifer Carroll
18th Lieutenant Governor of Florida
In office
January 4, 2011 – March 12, 2013
Governor Rick Scott
Preceded by Jeff Kottkamp
Succeeded by Carlos Lopez-Cantera
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 13th district
In office
2003–2011
Preceded by Mike Hogan
Succeeded by Daniel Davis
Personal details
Born Jennifer Sandra Johnson
(1959-08-27) August 27, 1959
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Nolan Carroll
Children Nolan II
Nyckie
Necho
Residence Fleming Island, Florida, U.S.
Alma mater Leeward Community College (A.A.)
University of New Mexico (A.B.)
Kensington University (M.B.A.)
St. Leo University (M.B.A.)
Occupation Businesswoman
Profession Naval officer (formerly) and politician
Religion Christianity
Military service
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1979–1999
Rank Lieutenant commander

Jennifer Sandra Carroll (née Johnson; born August 27, 1959) is a Trinidadian-born American politician who was the 18th Lieutenant Governor of the U.S. state of Florida. The first black American and the first woman elected to the position, she assumed the office on January 4, 2011.[1][2]

She was the first black person elected lieutenant governor of Florida,[3] and the first black person elected to statewide office in Florida since Reconstruction.[4] Carroll previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2003 until 2010. She is the bestselling author of an autobiography, “When You Get There.”

The New York Times reported that Carroll's tenure as lieutenant governor was "marred by scandal and poor judgment" and she was "increasingly viewed as an embarrassment to the man who chose her for the job."[5] She resigned her post as lieutenant governor on March 12, 2013, at the request of Governor Rick Scott. Florida Department of Law Enforcement concluded that she did not break any laws.[6][7]

Early life, education, and political career

Carroll as a U.S. Navy officer.

Carroll was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. She moved to the United States at the age of eight, and graduated from Uniondale High School in Uniondale, Long Island New York in 1977. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1979. After serving as an aviation machinist's mate (jet engine mechanic), she was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program, becoming an Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer in 1985. She retired from the U.S. Navy in 1999 as a lieutenant commander.

In 1981, she received an Associate of Arts degree from Leeward Community College. She followed this in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of New Mexico. She moved to Florida in 1986. She received a Master of Business Administration degree from unaccredited and now defunct Kensington University in 1995. Carroll resigned her position on the National Commission of Presidential Scholars to accept a presidential appointment to the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission. She then returned to school to earn an accredited Master of Business Administration degree online from St. Leo University in 2008.[8]

Carroll is a member of the Clay County Republican Executive Committee. In 2000, she ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the Florida's 3rd congressional district. Incumbent Democrat U.S. Congresswoman Corrine Brown defeated Carroll 58%–42%.[9] After redistricting, she ran for a rematch against Brown in the newly redrawn 3rd district in 2002. Brown defeated her 59%–41%.[10]

Following her defeat in the 2000 election, she was appointed Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs by Republican Governor Jeb Bush and served in that post until July 2002.[11] Republican President George W. Bush appointed Carroll to the Commission on Presidential Scholars from 2001 to 2004,[12] and then a seat on the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission from 2004 to 2007.

She is one of the founders of Maggie's List.[13]

Florida House of Representatives

Elections

Carroll ran for a seat Florida House of Representatives in the 13th state House district after incumbent State Representative Mike Hogan, also a Republican, resigned in 2003. In the April 2003 special election, she won the Republican primary with 65.5 percent of the vote, defeating Linda Sparks, who won 34.5 percent of the vote.[14] She became the first African-American female Republican ever elected to the Florida Legislature. She won unopposed in 2004,[15] 2006,[16] and 2008.[17]

Committee assignments

Carroll was appointed Deputy Majority Leader from 2003–2004, and served as Majority Whip in 2004–2006. She was Vice Chair of the Transportation and Economic Development Committee (2003–2004), Chair of the Finance Committee (2006–2008) and Chair of the Economic and Development Council (2008–2010).

Personal life

Carroll's husband is Nolan Carroll, a retired senior master sergeant in the United States Air Force and together they have three children. Her son, Nolan Carroll II, played college football for the University of Maryland, and is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.[18][19]

References

  1. ↑ "The Truth-O-Meter Says: Jennifer Carroll is the "first African-American Republican woman to be part of a statewide ticket in Florida."". St. Petersburg Times and The Miami Herald. politifact.com. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  2. ↑ Brandon Larrabee (January 4, 2011). "Rick Scott pledges bold action as Florida's 45th governor". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  3. ↑ Aaron Deslatte, Amy Pavuk (March 13, 2013). "Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll resigns in wake of federal Internet café probe". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  4. ↑ The Orlando Sentinel retrieved 2012-09-01
  5. ↑ Christine Jordan Sexton and Lizette Alvarez, Florida's Lieutenant Governor Resigns Amid Inquiry Into Sweepstakes Firm (March 14), New York Times.
  6. ↑ George Bennett, Rick Scott, Uncategorized. (June 12, 2015). "Jennifer Carroll still wants an apology from Rick Scott". www.palmbeachpost.com.
  7. ↑ Jim Schoettler (April 30, 2014). "Ex-Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll says she felt 'betrayed' by Florida Gov. Scott". acksonville.com.
  8. ↑ Khalil Madani (May 1, 2011). "Saint Leo University builds up, plugs in". St. Petersburg Times.
  9. ↑ FL District 3 Race, ourcampaigns.com, November 7, 2000; retrieved 2013-07-14.
  10. ↑ FL District 3 Race, ourcampaigns.com, November 5, 2002; accessed November 6, 2014.
  11. ↑ Profile: Jennifer Carroll-WJXT Jacksonville
  12. ↑ Matthew I. Pinzur; David DeCamp; Joe Humphrey (May 6, 2001). "Bush Appointment". The Florida Times-Union.
  13. ↑ "Maggie's List. Women's Political Action Committee. Who is Maggie's List?". Maggieslist.org. Retrieved 2015-06-13.
  14. ↑ April 15, 2003 Special Primary Results - HD 13, doe.dos.state.fl.us, Election Results Archive, Florida Department of State, Division of Elections.
  15. ↑ 2004 election results, Election Results Archive, Florida Department of State, Division of Elections.
  16. ↑ 2006 election results, doe.dos.state.fl.us, Election Results Archive, Florida Department of State, Division of Elections.
  17. ↑ 2008 election results, doe.dos.state.fl.us, Election Results Archive, Florida Department of State, Division of Elections.
  18. ↑ Neal, David (November 4, 2010). "Taxing questions for Miami Dolphins' rookie Nolan Carroll". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  19. ↑ Darlington, Jeff (August 20, 2010). "Miami Dolphins rookie Nolan Carroll becoming something special". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
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Political offices
Preceded by
Jeff Kottkamp		 Lieutenant Governor of Florida
2011–2013 		Succeeded by
Carlos López-Cantera
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