Regardless of your political beliefs—be it as a dedicated Democrat, a traditional Republican, or somewhere in between—it’s important to celebrate the accomplishments of our Caribbean brothers and sisters making their mark in the political arena. These ten Caribbean-Americans have navigated their paths to public service and represent the diverse voices of our community.
Congresswoman Yvette Diane Clarke
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, representing New York’s Ninth Congressional District, is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants and proudly brings her Caribbean heritage to Congress. A senior member of both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security, she has championed landmark legislation such as the Dream and Promise Act to provide a path to citizenship for DREAMers. Clarke is a strong advocate for diversity in media and technology, co-chairing the Multicultural Media Caucus and Smart Cities Caucus to ensure communities of color are included in technological advancements. Prior to Congress, she served on New York’s City Council, continuing the legacy of her pioneering mother, Dr. Una Clarke.
Congressman Carlos A. Giménez
Carlos Antonio Gimenez represents Florida’s 28th Congressional District, which includes Monroe County and southwest Miami-Dade. Elected to Congress in 2020, he is the first Cuban-born and career firefighter to serve in the House, where he sits on the Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees. Prior to Congress, Gimenez had a long public service career, including 25 years as a firefighter, becoming Chief of the Miami Fire Department, and serving as Miami-Dade County Mayor, where he implemented fiscal reforms and led the largest tax cut in the county’s history. He is a dedicated family man and continues to advocate for fiscal responsibility and individual freedom.
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, the first Black woman and Haitian American Democrat to represent Florida’s 20th district, was re-elected to the U.S. House for a third term in 2024. She serves on the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Veterans’ Affairs, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization. Cherfilus-McCormick also chairs the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force for the Democratic Women’s Caucus and co-chairs the Haiti Caucus. Committed to addressing the housing crisis and improving access to healthcare, she continues to advocate for equitable opportunities across her district and the nation.
Senator Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz, his wife Heidi, and their two daughters have lived the American Dream, and Ted is dedicated to ensuring that opportunity for all families. Raised in Texas, Ted’s father fled Cuba with just $100 and worked his way to success, while his mother was a trailblazer as a computer programmer. After earning degrees from Princeton and Harvard Law, Ted served as Texas Solicitor General and later joined the U.S. Senate in 2013. In the Senate, Ted has fought for limited government, economic growth, and national security, while also addressing key issues like Big Tech regulation, U.S.-China relations, and space exploration leadership.
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart
Cuban-American Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart is serving his 11th term representing Florida’s 26th congressional district. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations, chairing the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Subcommittee and serving on the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) and Defense Subcommittees. Diaz-Balart is a dedicated advocate for individual rights, economic prosperity, and national defense, as well as human rights and democracy globally. Before joining Congress in 2002, he served in the Florida State Legislature and currently resides in Miami with his wife and son.
Congressman Adriano Espaillat
U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat serves New York’s Thirteenth Congressional District and is the first Dominican American in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected in 2016 and currently in his fourth term, he is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and serves as the ranking member of its legislative branch subcommittee. Throughout his career, Espaillat has introduced over 40 bills aimed at improving constituents’ lives, including legislation for affordable housing, healthcare access, and job creation. A former New York State Senator, he has a strong track record in public service advocating for tenants’ rights, education improvements, and economic development.
Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost
Maxwell Alejandro Frost comes from a diverse background with Puerto Rican, Lebanese, and Haitian roots and was adopted at birth. He gained national attention as the first Gen Z member of Congress after being elected to represent Central Florida in 2023 at just 26 years old, fueled by his commitment to social justice and gun safety advocacy. His first bill, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act, reflects his passion for reducing gun violence, which he has addressed through various organizing efforts, including serving as the National Organizing Director for March For Our Lives. As a dedicated public servant, Frost aims to create an equitable future by introducing legislation that uplifts underserved communities and fosters transparency in local governance.
Congressman Steven Horsford
Born and raised in Las Vegas to a Trinidadian immigrant mother, Representative Steven Horsford is a dedicated advocate for Nevada’s working families, focusing on economic recovery and restoring public trust in institutions during the 118th Congress. He emphasizes responsible gun control, drawing on his personal experience of losing his father to gun violence, and is committed to ending the school-to-prison pipeline while supporting children and families. With over a decade of leadership at the Culinary Training Academy, he has successfully placed thousands into quality jobs, and as Nevada’s first African-American State Senate Majority Leader, he championed renewable energy initiatives.
Senator Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, grew up in Miami, where he witnessed his parents’ hard work and faith in achieving the American Dream. His commitment to public service was inspired by his grandfather’s experiences with communism, leading him to serve as a city commissioner and speaker of the Florida House before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010. Now in his third term, Rubio is recognized for his bipartisan efforts to implement common-sense reforms that benefit Florida families, such as expanding the child tax credit and reforming the VA system. A devoted father of four, Rubio continues to be guided by the values of hard work and family, which were instilled in him by his late father.
Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District and serves as Chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, in addition to her role on the House Committee on Small Business. Born in Miami’s Little Havana to Cuban exiles, she is dedicated to defending individual rights, promoting economic development, enhancing environmental resiliency, and advocating for immigration reform, with a particular focus on human rights and democracy in countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. A five-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, Salazar has a notable history of challenging powerful figures, including her unique one-on-one interview with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
