Karla Hernández-Mats
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Karla Hernández-Mats (born 1978 or 1979) is an American union leader. She was chosen by Charlie Crist to be the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor of Florida in 2022. She and Crist lost to incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis and Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez.
Early Life and Education[edit]
Hernández-Mats was born in Miami to Honduran immigrants, and attended Miami-Dade County Public Schools.[1] After graduating from high school, she went to Honduras to do humanitarian work.[2] She was the first in her family to graduate from college, earning a bachelor’s degree from Florida International University in emotionally handicapped education and a master’s degree in business management from St. Thomas University.[3]
Career[edit]
Hernandez-Mats began her career at Hialeah Middle Community School, where she served as a special education teacher for 10 years.[3] She was named the school's Teacher of the Year in 2010.[4]
Hernández-Mats became secretary-treasurer of United Teachers of Dade in 2013. Three years later, she was elected as president, becoming the organization’s first Hispanic leader. During her tenure as president, she was credited with spearheading the campaign to pass Referendum 362, a tax referendum to support teacher pay.[1] With the additional funding created by passing the referendum, the union secured pay raises for teachers and support staff in 2023.[5]
In 2024, Hernandez-Mats led an effort to avoid the decertification of United Teachers of Dade after Governor DeSantis signed a law requiring all unions representing public employees prove at least 60% of its members are paying dues each year to be recertified.[6]
2022 Florida Lt. gubernatorial election[edit]
In August 2022, Hernández-Mats was chosen as Charlie Christ's running mate in his bid for governor against incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis and Lt. Govenor Jeanette Nuñez.[7] The bid was her first run for public office. Crist and Hernández-Mats were defeated by DeSantis and Nuñez, receiving only 40% of the vote.[8]
Political Positions[edit]
Immigration[edit]
In 2017, Hernández-Mats was arrested while demonstrating in Washington, D.C. in opposition to President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program be phased out and replaced.[1][9]
Education[edit]
Hernández-Mats opposed a bill signed by Gov. DeSantis that allowed any parent to receive a voucher toward private or home schooling, saying the bill could cripple public schools.[10] She also called for more accountability for charter and private schools that received state funding.[11]
Hernández-Mats was an outspoken opponent of rules Gov. DeSantis signed into law in 2022 that limited discussions of race in the classroom and banned conversations about LGBTQ+ issues in grades three and younger.[3]
Pandemic Response[edit]
During the pandemic, she encouraged people to wear masks and hosted a pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinic.[3]
Hernández-Mats advocated delaying students’ return to school in the fall of 2020 and continuing mask mandates in 2021, in defiance of DeSantis’ administration.[7]
Personal Life[edit]
Hernández-Mats is married, and has two children.[11]
Electoral History[edit]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ron DeSantis (incumbent) Jeanette Nuñez (incumbent) |
4,614,210 | 59.4 | |
| Democratic | Charlie Crist Karla Hernandez |
3,106,313 | 40.0 | |
| Independent | Carmen Jackie Gimenez Kyle "KC" Gibson |
31,577 | 0.4 | |
| Libertarian | Hector Roos Jerry "Tub" Rorabaugh |
19,299 | 0.2 | |
| Total votes | 7,771,399 | 100.0 | ||
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Scheckner, Jesse (2022-08-27). "Karla Hernandez-Mats: Five things to know about Charlie Crist's pick for Lieutenant Governor". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ^ "Karla Hernandez-Mats: Leading United Teachers of Dade, largest Southeast union". Miami Today. 2019-07-09. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ^ a b c d "Hernández-Mats rises from middle school teacher to candidate for lieutenant governor". Miami Herald.
- ^ "Crist to pick Miami-Dade teachers union head Karla Hernandez-Mats as running mate". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ^ Funcheon, Deirdra (August 1, 2023). "Raises on tap for Miami-Dade teachers". Axios.
- ^ McAllister, Anna (2024-01-16). "United Teachers of Dade avoids losing certification - CBS Miami". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
- ^ a b "Crist picks Miami teachers union leader as running mate". AP News. 2022-08-27. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ^ Press, The Associated (2022-11-09). "DeSantis defeats Crist, wins second term as Florida governor". WESH. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ^ Swift, Tim (2017-12-06). "Teachers union president arrested at immigration rally in Washington". WPLG. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ^ "Facing South Florida: Karla Hernandez-Mats, Pres. United Teachers of Dade - CBS Miami". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ^ a b Harper, Mark. "Charlie Crist's running mate Karla Hernández-Mats wants accountability for charter schools". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ^ "2022 General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results". Florida Division of Elections. Retrieved November 13, 2022.