Staff Directory

Carlos Cardenas

Florida Deputy Director

Programs | Grassroots

Born and raised in Florida, with 10 years of campaign, consulting and lobbying experience from every county on Florida’s East Coast, from the Space Coast down to the Keys. I’ve managed multiple campaign field offices at the Director-level and have strong experience in Presidential, U.S. Congressional, Florida Legislative and municipal elections.

Before starting with the Leadership Institute, I worked as a Digital Fundraising Specialist for Majority Strategies, one of the nation’s premier full-service consulting firms. There I provided leading creative and fundraising services to the following clients: Lt. Governor Leslie Rutledge (AR), Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell (OK), Nebraska GOP, North Carolina Republican House Caucus, Ohio GOP and more. I demonstrated a proven track record of success and won two Reed Awards in 2023 - Best Fundraising Email Copy for Statewide Race & Best Use of personalization in Fundraising.

In 2019 to 2021, I was the in-house lobbyist and Director of Political Affairs for Associated Builders & Contractors FL East Coast Chapter. There, I launched a 3-year political fundraising campaign that dramatically increased involvement in our political committee and federal PAC. While managing those funds I implemented targeted investments in direct mail, phone banking and staffing for Florida’s 26th Congressional District, 39th Senate District and 105th House District. All endorsed candidates won their races.

From 2015 to 2019, I worked as a Regional Field Director managing multiple field offices for the Republican Party of Florida and the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Super PAC that has the official endorsement of the entire U.S. House Republican leadership. I recruited, trained and led hundreds of volunteers and interns across South Florida.

I have also worked as a freelance General Political Consultant, managing multiple municipal campaigns throughout South Florida. I’m most proud of my work in the City of Boca Raton, where I have directly managed all aspects of current Mayor Scott Singer’s last two re-election campaigns, winning with 89% of the vote and achieving the highest vote total in the Boca Raton’s history.