28-year-old David Cardenas entered politics “with the understanding that public service was a noble cause, cherished principles required advocacy, and that one must engage to make an impact.”
But one principle he puts above politics is “respect for others, regardless of political differences, is a crucial component of functional and civil government.”
David’s first political internship was at Victory 2004, working in finance for President George W. Bush’s re-election effort under Ambassador Mercer Reynolds and Jack Oliver. He then interned on Capitol Hill for Senator Mel Martinez. From there, David served as co-chairman for the Romney campaign in Miami-Dade and was the youngest member of Romney’s Florida finance committee. He was one of 11 to serve on the National Advisory Board of Young Americans for Romney, and was named as a delegate to the 2012 RNC convention in Florida. David co-founded SunPAC with Jeb Bush, Jr., an organization dedicated to Republican Hispanic Outreach.
David credits his father, Al Cardenas, as a mentor; and when beginning a project he looks to work with an individual that is “trustworthy, respectful, and shares certain core values.”
“Nothing worth fighting for is easy,” David reflects as a lesson he has already learned. “In yen years I will be continuing to advocate on behalf of issues and candidates devoted to strengthening our communities, our states, and our country.”
Here is David in his own words:
I am 28 years-young.
I live in (Miami) … Am from (Miami) …. I went to school (Duke University B.A. Political Science, University of Miami M.A. International Administration).
I entered politics because… I was raised with the understanding that public service was a noble cause, cherished principles required advocacy, and that one must engage to make an impact.
One principle I always put above politics is… Respect. Respect for others, regardless of political differences, is a crucial component of functional and civil government.
Person or people who gave me my first shot: My first political internship was at Victory 2004, working in finance for President George W. Bush’s re-election effort. I worked under Ambassador Mercer Reynolds and Jack Oliver. My second political internship was working for Senator Mel Martinez on Capitol Hill.
I’ve already worked for/on: I served as Co-Chairman of the Romney for President Campaign in Miami-Dade County and was the youngest member of his Florida Finance Committee. I was one of eleven individuals who served on the National Advisory Board of Young Americans for Romney. I was named a delegate to the 2012 Republican National Convention in Florida. I co-founded SUNPAC with Jeb Bush Jr., an organization dedicated to Republican Hispanic Outreach.
When I begin a project or first work on a campaign, I look for a candidate that has integrity; an individual that is trustworthy, respectful, and shares certain core values.
I’ve been blessed to have these people as my mentors: My father, Al Cardenas
The people I most admire in politics are: Former Governor Jeb Bush, Former Governor Mitt Romney, Former President George H.W. Bush
One lesson I’ve already learned is… Nothing worth fighting for is easy.
If I wasn’t working in politics, I’d be working in… Finance. Upon graduation from college, I worked at HSBC Private Bank, managing assets for high net worth individuals from Latin America.
In ten years, you’ll read about me… continuing to advocate on behalf of issues and candidates devoted to strengthening our communities, our states, and our country.
You can connect with me via Facebook
