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| Carlos Curbelo | |
|---|---|
| Name | Carlos Curbelo |
| Birth date | 1 August 1980 |
| Birth place | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Florida International University |
| Occupation | Politician, businessman |
| Office | U.S. Representative for Florida's 26th congressional district (2015–2019) |
Carlos Curbelo is an American politician and businessman who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Florida's 26th congressional district from 2015 to 2019. Born in Miami, he previously served in the Florida House of Representatives and became known for work on climate change policy, immigration issues like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and fiscal matters including positions on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Curbelo's tenure included engagement with both conservative and moderate figures across Congress, Republican Party, and bipartisan coalitions.
Curbelo was born in Miami to Cuban refugee parents and raised in Miami-Dade County, attending local schools and Catholic institutions before earning degrees from Florida International University in Miami. During his studies he engaged with Hispanic community organizations, local chapters of Republican Party youth groups, and internship programs connected to officials from Florida politics and municipal administrations such as Miami-Dade County leaders. His background linked him to immigrant narratives associated with notable Cuban-American politicians like Marco Rubio, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and activists connected to the Cuban exile community.
After graduation Curbelo worked in private sector roles including positions at firms in the telecommunications and real estate industries in Miami and Florida. He founded or managed small-business ventures that engaged with local chambers such as the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and participated in community development forums alongside business leaders and municipal officials including Miami Mayor administrations. His business career intersected with nonprofit boards and economic development groups, putting him in contact with state-level figures like Rick Scott and Jeb Bush as well as federal stakeholders from agencies such as the Small Business Administration.
Curbelo won election to the Florida House of Representatives representing a district in Miami-Dade County, where he served on committees related to appropriations and local affairs alongside state legislators including Tom Lee and Loranne Ausley. In Tallahassee he worked on issues touching regional infrastructure projects tied to agencies like the Florida Department of Transportation and supported legislation that brought him into contact with governors such as Rick Scott and policy advocates from Florida Chamber of Commerce. His state service provided a platform for later campaigns and policy priorities that echoed in his congressional tenure.
Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2014, Curbelo represented a diverse South Florida district that included portions of Miami-Dade County and Monroe County, areas impacted by tourism economies tied to Everglades National Park and Florida Keys interests. In Congress he served on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee and worked with members such as Kevin McCarthy, Paul Ryan, Bobby Rush, and Steny Hoyer on legislative negotiations. He co-founded or joined bipartisan groups including the Problem Solvers Caucus and engaged on cross-party initiatives with legislators like John Delaney, Peter Welch, and Carlos C. Gutierrez-era trade advocates.
Curbelo positioned himself as a moderate Republican on matters including climate change, where he supported market-based approaches and co-sponsored legislation focused on carbon pricing and resilience for coastal communities, drawing comparisons with centrists such as Rep. Jim Costa and collaboration with Democrats like Ted Deutch. On immigration he endorsed pragmatic solutions including support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, aligning him at times with figures like Lindsey Graham on bipartisan talks. He voted for portions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 while expressing concern about deficits discussed by budget leaders such as Mick Mulvaney and John Kasich. On healthcare he opposed full repeal of the Affordable Care Act but backed reforms tied to market competition and coverage stipulations debated by lawmakers including Tom Price and Nancy Pelosi. His record also included votes on trade measures influenced by United States Trade Representative policies and positions on federal disaster relief for regions like Florida Keys after storms such as Hurricane Irma.
Curbelo first won a congressional seat in the 2014 elections, defeating Democratic opponents in contests that involved campaigning across Miami-Dade County and media markets covering outlets such as the Miami Herald. He secured reelection in 2016 in a competitive race against candidates including Joe Garcia before losing his 2018 bid amid a national surge for Democrats led by figures like Nancy Pelosi and Phil Bredesen-aligned messaging, with his district flipping to Democratic control under Donna Shalala.
Curbelo is married with children and active in community organizations in Miami-Dade County and engagement with Cuban-American cultural institutions including groups tied to Cuban-American heritage. After leaving Congress he joined private-sector and nonprofit boards, consulting on public policy, climate resilience, and coastal infrastructure with firms and institutes connected to organizations such as the Brookings Institution, American Enterprise Institute, and state-level partners in Florida International University networks. He has participated in speaking engagements alongside policy figures like Henry Paulson and academics from Columbia University and Harvard Kennedy School on topics related to climate adaptation, bipartisanship, and Latino political participation.
Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida Category:Florida Republicans Category:Florida International University alumni