Rick Carroll

Jennifer Sandra Carroll, born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1959, is an American Republican politician and retired naval officer. She served as the 18th Lieutenant Governor of Florida from 2011 to 2013, making history as the first Black person, woman, and Trinidadian-American to hold the office. Prior to this, she was a member of the Florida House of Representatives and served in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a lieutenant commander.

Carroll's tenure as Lieutenant Governor faced scrutiny regarding financial disclosures and her work for a charity involved in gambling. At the request of Governor Rick Scott, she resigned in March 2013. Investigations by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement concluded that she had not broken any laws. She is also the author of the autobiography "When You Get There."

Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Jennifer Carroll moved to the United States at age eight. After graduating from high school in New York, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1979. She served as an aviation machinist's mate before being commissioned as an Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer. Carroll retired from the Navy in 1999 with the rank of lieutenant commander. Her education includes an Associate of Arts degree from Leeward Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of New Mexico, and two Master of Business Administration degrees, one from Kensington University and an accredited one from St. Leo University.

Carroll's political career began after her military service. She was appointed Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs by Governor Jeb Bush. Later, she was appointed by President George W. Bush to the Commission on Presidential Scholars and the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission. In 2003, she was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, becoming the first Black Republican woman elected to the state legislature. She served in leadership roles, including Deputy Majority Leader and Majority Whip, and chaired committees related to finance and economic development. In 2010, she was elected Lieutenant Governor of Florida alongside Governor Rick Scott.

As Lieutenant Governor, Carroll made history as the first Black person, woman, and Trinidadian American to hold the position in Florida. Her term was marked by controversy, including allegations of mismanagement and financial improprieties. Specifically, she faced questions about public relations work for a charity involved in gambling and failure to report $24,000 in income. Despite the Ethics Committee finding no evidence of wrongdoing, Governor Rick Scott requested her resignation, which she submitted on March 12, 2013. Subsequent investigations by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement determined that she had not violated any laws.

Following her resignation as Lieutenant Governor, Carroll remained active in politics. She served as a surrogate for Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and was appointed by President Trump to the American Battle Monuments Commission, serving from 2018 to 2021. Carroll is also a bestselling author, having written an autobiography titled "When You Get There."