Movers and Shakers

U.S. Attorney Selected by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. attorney in the Middle District of Florida was federal prosecutor Maria Chapa Lopez. She currently serves as interim U.S. attorney in the Middle District, which stretches from Fort Myers to Jacksonville and includes Orlando and Tampa. Her selection by Trump is subject to U.S. Senate confirmation. Chapa Lopez worked as an assistant U.S. attorney from 2000 to 2016 and most recently served as a Department of Justice attaché in the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

U.S. Department of Education Confirmed by the U.S. Senate as general counsel of the U.S. Department of Education was Carlos Muniz. Muniz served three years as deputy attorney general and chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi before going to work for the law firm McGuire Woods. Muniz also served as deputy general counsel to former Governor Jeb Bush.

Neal Dunn U.S. Representative Neal Dunn, R-Fla., will take over as chairman of the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Health.

John Rutherford U.S. Representative John Rutherford, R-Fla., was named to the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.

Joe Negron Senate President Negron (R-Stuart) announced he will retire on November 6th, two years before his term ends November 2020. He cited his adherence to term limits as his reason for leaving on the last day of his Senate presidency.

Jose Oliva Appointed to the executive committee of the Republican State Leadership Committee’s Future Majority Project initiative was State Representative Jose Oliva (R-Hialeah). The panel seeks to elect Republicans with diverse backgrounds to state-level positions.

Carlos Trujillo Appointed U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States was State Representative Carlos Trujillo (R-Doral). Trujillo will serve as one of four deputies to U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.