Carlos Guillermo Smith

Carlos Guillermo Smith made history as Florida’s first openly-LGBTQ Latino lawmaker with his election to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016, where he served three consecutive two-year terms. In the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub shooting in his community, Carlos championed the needs of survivors and families and became a national leader on gun violence prevention. Last year, he led the charge against Florida’s dangerous ‘Don’t Say LGBTQ’ law and since leaving the legislature, has become a well-known opponent of the DeSantis administration. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Carlos is a respected civil rights leader who has been recognized by organizations such as the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, the LGBTQ+ Center Orlando, and the Victory Institute for his public service and advocacy. Orlando Magazine has named him as one of Orlando’s 50 Most Powerful People annually since 2018. Carlos currently serves as Senior Policy Advisor for Equality Florida and lives in East Orlando with his husband, Jerick Mediavilla, an educator from Corozal, Puerto Rico. On April 8th, 2023, Carlos launched his campaign for Florida Senate, District 17.