Lt. Gov. Carlos López-Cantera has only been in his new job two weeks, but he made time Tuesday to visit The Villages and put in a plug for his new boss.
He met with Villages Republican leaders at Panera at Lake Sumter Landing to talk about the expected gubernatorial contest between incumbent Gov. Rick Scott and ex-governor Charlie Crist, a newly minted Democrat.
López-Cantera pointed out that in his days as a lawmaker, he worked under three governors — Jeb Bush, Crist and Scott.
The 40-year-old lieutenant governor, who was recently appointed to replace Jennifer Carroll who resigned last year, and State Rep. Marlene O’Toole both characterized the governor as laser focused and in touch with the details.
O’Toole, a Republican and a Villager, described a recent meeting with the governor.
The meeting was set for 3:30 p.m. — and the governor came to O’Toole’s office.
She recalled the governor drilling her on specifics of some of the bills.
She said the governor has been focused on education and it was noted that Florida is now rated sixth in the nation in terms of education.
Of Crist, López-Cantera said, “I prefer not to go back to a bumper-sticker approach to policy.”
He added that when Crist was in the governor’s office, “It was all about hugs and press conferences.”
After meeting with local Republicans, López-Cantera took a walk around Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, escorted by O’Toole.
To view our photo album of the the Lieutenant Governor’s visit, click here!
