Florida Politics reports that Senator Marco Rubio “sounds endorsy” of Florida Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who is running for Rubio’s (essentially vacant) Senate seat. Considering they keep the same work hours, this news is less than shocking…
Rubio tops the list of the most absentee federal lawmakers. And, as you can see, his buddy Carlos Lopez-Cantera has been largely absent as the Lt. Governor of Florida:
Carlos Lopez-Cantera Absenteeism
Lopez-Cantera Has Been Largely Absent From His Job As Lt. Governor Since He Announced His Run For US Senator In July 2015
Lopez-Cantera Asserted That He Was Always On The Job
Lopez-Cantera Responded To A Question About Scheduling By Saying That “He Is Always On The Job.” According to Political Fix Florida, “Lopez-Cantera has taken heat in recent weeks for his schedule. The lieutenant governor’s sole constitutional duty is to replace the governor in the event he’s incapacitated or deceased. Many days the official schedule released by the governor’s office show the lieutenant governor has no scheduled events. When asked Monday about scheduling, Lopez-Cantera said he is always on the job.” [Political Fix Florida, 6/29/15]
Between July and November 2015 One-Third Of Lopez-Cantera’s Work Days Had Been Empty
Lopez-Cantera’s Official Schedule Shows That He Did Not Have Anything On His Schedule For One-Third Of His Work Days Since His Senate Run Announcement In July. According to TC Palm, “An analysis of Republican Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera’s official daily schedule shows he didn’t attend any meetings or events for one-third of his work days since announcing his Senate candidacy in July. He has come under fire for using taxpayer money to pay for weekend trips between Tallahassee and his Miami home. Lopez-Cantera, who makes $125,000 annually, often skips work on Monday, his schedule shows. The lieutenant governor post is largely ceremonial and it’s up to Gov. Rick Scott to give him additional duties. Some of his predecessors have served as department heads.” [TC Palm, 11/23/15]
January To June 2015: Lopez-Cantera Worked Equal Or Fewer Days Each Month. According to a graphic on Alex Leary’s Twitter “Campaign ad in the making: Ds keeping track of days @LopezCantera, a likely U.S. Senate candidate, has work on sked. January: 17 February: 17 March: 17 April 16: May: 5 June 4.” [Alex Leary’s Twitter, 6/23/15]
June 2015: Over Previous 60 Days Two-Thirds Of Lopez Cantera’s Public Schedules Showed Now Public Events
Lopez-Cantera’s Last 60 Daily Schedules “Dating Back To Mid-April, Two-Thirds Showed Lopez-Cantera Had No Scheduled Events.” According to TC Palm, “Aside from trying to save the stogies, Carlos Lopez-Cantera has a lot of down time as the state of Florida’s second-in-command. […] Over the last 60 daily schedules released by the Governor’s Office and dating back to mid-April, two-thirds showed Lopez-Cantera had ‘no scheduled events.’ […] Otherwise, when he does have things to do, they’re largely ceremonial.” [TC Palm, 6/28/15]
Between May Fifth And June Sixth Cantera Had No Events On 18 Of 24 Work Days
Lopez-Cantera’s Calendar Had No Scheduled Events For 18 Of 24 Workdays Between May 5 And June 5. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Democrats are hammering Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, a likely candidate for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, for ignoring his day job, while U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is facing similar scrutiny. […] The lieutenant governor’s calendar between May 5 and June 5 listed six days with any official duty scheduled. ‘NO SCHEDULED EVENTS’ were listed for 18 of those 24 workdays. Lopez-Cantera has not announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate but, much like Jeb Bush, he already has a Super PAC in place to raise unlimited contributions for a campaign.” [Tampa Bay Times, 6/6/15]
Lopez-Cantera’s Official Schedule Had No Events Listed For Six Of The Last Ten Business Days. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera appears likely to run for U.S. Senate in 2016, which means before long hard-working Floridians – or at least some reporters – will be exploring the ever-mysterious question of what a lieutenant governor in Florida actually does. Remember, the job paying about $125,000 annually has no formal responsibilities established in the state constitution or statutes. Well, here’s an answer of sorts: The lieutenant governor’s official schedule for the past 10 business days. You will notice he had actual things scheduled on four of those days. It’s a wonder he can find the time to explore a statewide campaign.” [Tampa Bay Times, 5/20/15]
Published: Jan 11, 2016