Daisy Baez

Daisy Josefina Baez (born August 7, 1959) is a Democratic politician from Florida. She served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 until her resignation in 2017. She represented the 114th district, stretching from western Miami to Cutler Bay in Miami-Dade County.[1]

Daisy Baez
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 114th district
In office
November 8, 2016 – November 1, 2017
Preceded byErik Fresen
Succeeded byJavier Fernandez
Personal details
Born (1959-08-07) August 7, 1959
Dominican Republic
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenNicole M. Espaillat
ResidenceCoral Gables, Florida
Alma materAmerican Technological University (BS)
Sam Houston State University (MA)
OccupationHealth care consultant
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1980-1983
RankSpecialist
Awards

Early life and career

Baez was born in the Dominican Republic and raised there by her grandmother after her parents divorced and her mother moved to New York City to support her family. Baez immigrated to the United States at the age of 17. She joined the U.S. Army in 1980, and served for three years as a Preventive Medicine Specialist in the 1st Cavalry Division Surgeon's Office in Fort Hood, Texas.[2]

After an honorable discharge, Baez received a bachelor's degree in social work at American Technological University, and later a master's degree in education counseling from Sam Houston State University.[2]

After over 15 years working in hospital management and health care consulting, in 2011 she founded the Dominican Health Care Association of Florida. The group is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advocating for and supporting healthcare services by and for the Dominican community in Florida. She is currently the association's executive director.[3]

Baez has one daughter, whom she raised as a single parent.[2][1]

Florida House of Representatives

In 2014, Baez ran for the Florida House of Representatives in the 114th district, based around Coral Gables, South Miami, Cutler Bay, and western Miami. She was defeated in the general election by the incumbent, Republican Erik Fresen, 52.7 to 44.0%.[4][5]

Two years later, when Fresen was term-limited, Baez ran again for the 114th district. Her campaign focused on supporting affordable healthcare, equal pay, and public education, including the Bright Futures Scholarship Program.[6] She was elected in the 2016 general election, defeating Republican John Couriel, 51 to 49%.[7][5]

In the House of Representatives, Baez was a member of the Health & Human Services Committee.

Baez resigned from the House on November 1, 2017, as part of an agreement to plead guilty to a misdemeanor perjury charge. The charge originated in an investigation over whether she was a legal resident of her House district.[8][9][10]

References
  1. "Florida House of Representatives - Daisy J. Baez". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  2. Sanchez Ubanell, Laura (September 22, 2014). "Hispanic Heritage Month: Daisy J. Baez, a Latina devoted to those in need". La Opinión. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  3. "Dominican Health Care Association of Florida: Who We Are". www.domhealthcare.com. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  4. Florida Department of State. "2014 General Election Results". results.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  5. "Daisy Baez - Ballotpedia". Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  6. Schorsch, Peter (2015-10-05). "Democrat Daisy Baez giving it another go in HD 114". Florida Politics. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  7. "2016 General Election Results". results.elections.myflorida.com. Florida Department of State. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  8. Mazzei, Patricia (2017-11-01). "State lawmaker from Miami-Dade resigns seat over perjury case". Miami Herald.
  9. Caputo, Marc (2017-10-31). "Democrat Baez to quit Florida House, plead guilty to perjury". Politico.
  10. "State Rep. From Miami-Dade Resigns, Will Reportedly Plead Guilty to Perjury Charge". nbcmiami.com. November 1, 2017.
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