Rep. Susan Valdés

Representative Susan Lopez-Valdés was born the first-generation child of Cuban immigrants in New York City, NY and lived in the Bronx until moving to Hialeah, Florida at the age of 8. She would permanently resettle in Tampa a short time later.

Rep. Valdés worked as a health practice administrator until winning a seat on the Hillsborough County School Board in 2004, where she served for 14 years until resigning to run for the Florida House of Representatives in 2018.

Representative Valdés has served in the Florida House since 2018, where she currently sits on the Education & Employment Committee, Ways & Means Committee, Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee, and is the Ranking Democratic Member on the Choice & Innovation Subcommittee and Justice Appropriations Subcommittee.

She holds a Master's degree in organizational leadership from Manhattan College and Bachelor’s from Nova Southeastern University in Business administration and management. She is a vocal advocate in support of public education and prison reform.