Alex Diaz de la Portilla

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Alex Diaz de la Portilla

Member of the Florida State Senate from the 36th district
In office 2000 -

Born	August 25, 1964 (1964-08-25) (age 43) Miami, Florida
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Claudia Davant
Profession	political consultant
Religion	Roman Catholic

Alex Diaz de la Portilla is a Republican member of the Florida Senate, representing the 36th District since 2000. He was President Pro Tempore from 2002 through 2004. Previously he was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1995 through 2000.

He was ranked by the Miami Herald as the fourth most effective Senator (out of 40) in 2003. He has won many awards for his bold and innovative approach to public policy including the prestigious James Madison Institutes' Hero of the Year award in 1999 for leading the fight to reform Florida's education system. He led the Senate Domestic Security Committee in 2003 where he he spearheaded efforts to protect Florida's seaports, some of the busiest in the nation.

He is the second son of four children of Cuban exiles Miguel Angel Diaz-Pardo and Fabiola Pura de la Portilla-Garcia. He attended the University of Miami and is married to Claudia Davant of Columbia, South Carolina. His paternal great-grandfather served in Cuban Senate, while two of his sons served simultaneously in the Cuban House of Representatives. His maternal great-grandfather served as Cuban Minister of Justice (Attorney General).

His brothers, Miguel Angel and Renier Diaz de la Portilla, have also held office. Miguel was a Miami-Dade County Commissioner from 1993-2000 and Renier was a School Board member from 1996-1998, a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2002 and is currently a member of the School Board of Miami Dade County, the fourth largest school district in the nation.