Alberto Remigio Cárdenas Pardo (born January 3, 1948) is a Cuban-born American lawyer, politician and conservative activist who is a partner in the law firm of Squire Patton Boggs[1] and in the Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners.[2] He has been named as one of Washington D.C.'s top lobbyists by The Hill newspaper. Cardenas was a member of the Board of Trustees of Florida A&M University.
Al Cárdenas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairman of the American Conservative Union | |
| In office 2011–2014 | |
| Preceded by | David Keene |
| Succeeded by | Matt Schlapp |
| Chair of the Florida Republican Party | |
| In office 1999–2003 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Slade Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Carole Jean Jordan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alberto Remigio Cardenas Pardo January 3, 1948 Havana, Cuba |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | |
| Education | Miami Dade College (AA) Florida Atlantic University (BA) Seton Hall University (JD) |
Life and career
editCárdenas was born in Havana, Cuba. He graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and received his associate's degree from Miami Dade Community College, a bachelor's degree from Florida Atlantic University, and his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University.[3] He is an alumnus of Florida Atlantic University's Eta Mu chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
Cardenas has been active in the Republican Party throughout his career. He was responsible for the transition of the United States Department of Commerce at the beginning of the Ronald Reagan administration, and was appointed the first U.S. ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis in 1983. He served on the board of the Federal National Mortgage Association from 1985 to 1990, as an appointee of Reagan and George H. W. Bush.[1]
Cardenas served three terms as Vice-Chairman and two terms as Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. He was also appointed to the Executive Committee of the Republican Party, the highest policy-making board at the Republican National Committee. He was the first Hispanic to lead a major state party and remains the only Hispanic Republican Party Chairman in Florida history.[4] He represented Florida as a delegate at every Republican National Convention held from 1976 to 2008.[1]
During CPAC 2011, Cardenas transitioned into the chairmanship of the American Conservative Union, with then-chairman David Keene's retirement. On June 1, 2014, Cardenas resigned[5] as American Conservative Union Chairman. He was succeeded by Matt Schlapp.[6]
Cardenas was a senior adviser and fundraiser for the Jeb Bush 2016 presidential campaign until it was suspended.[7]
In October 2024, Cárdenas announced that he would vote for Kamala Harris.[8][9][10]
Personal life
editOn March 2, 2019,[11] Cardenas married Nicaraguan-American political strategist and commentator, Ana Navarro.[12] She is also a contributor on CNN and co-host of The View.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Al Cárdenas". Squire Patton Boggs. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ "Al Cardenas". The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners. Archived from the original on March 18, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ "Board of Trustees – Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University". Florida A&M University. Retrieved November 25, 2006.
- ^ "Professional Directory – Alberto R. Cardenas". Tew Cardenas LLP. Archived from the original on March 2, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2006.
- ^ McLaughlin, Seth (May 20, 2014). "Al Cardenas resigns as American Conservative Union chairman". Washington Times.
- ^ Glueck, Katie (June 19, 2014). "Matt Schlapp elected ACU chairman". Politico.
- ^ Misak, Michael (November 20, 2014). "With 2016 Looming, Jeb Bush Is Focused On Making Money". Huffington Post.
- ^ "A vote to preserve American values: Longtime Republican on backing Harris". MSNBC.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4920120-former-florida-gop-chair-backs-harris-after-helene-trolling/
- ^ Suter, Tara (October 7, 2024). "Former Florida GOP chair backs Harris after Helene 'trolling'". The Hill. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ Marr, Madeline (February 19, 2019). "CNN contributor Ana Navarro celebrates her bridal shower with a drag brunch in Miami". Miami Herald.
- ^ Stone, Natalie (March 2, 2019). "CNN's Ana Navarro Marries Al Cardenas in Miami Beach: All the Details!". People.