Dexter Lehtinen
| Dexter Lehtinen | |
|---|---|
 |
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| U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida | |
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In office June 1988 – January 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Leon Kellner |
| Succeeded by | James McAdams (Acting), Roberto Martinez |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 40th district |
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In office January 3, 1987 – June 11, 1988 |
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| Preceded by | Roberta F. Fox |
| Succeeded by | Javier Souto |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 118th district |
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In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Charlie Hall |
| Succeeded by | Bob Starks |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 116th district |
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In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | Gene Flinn |
| Succeeded by | Art Simon |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Dexter Wayne Lehtinen March 23, 1946 Homestead, Florida |
| Political party | Republican Party (1985-Present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic Party (1980-1985) |
| Spouse(s) | Ileana Ros-Lehtinen |
| Children | Katharine, Douglas, Rodrigo, and Patricia |
| Alma mater | University of Miami, Columbia University, and Stanford Law School |
| Profession | attorney, politician |
Dexter Wayne Lehtinen (born March 23, 1946) is an American attorney of Finnish ancestry, former politician, interim U.S. Attorney for south Florida and a law professor. He is the husband of U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
Lehtinen is of Finnish ancestry. He graduated from the University of Miami in 1968 magna cum laude with a BA. He then graduated with an MA from Columbia University and an MBA in 1974. In 1975, he graduated first in his class from Stanford Law School. He was the Commander of the Corps of Cadets a member of the Iron Arrow Honor Society and president of the Florida Federation of College Young Republicans. He received a Purple Heart in 1971 for severe facial injuries during the Vietnam War.
In 1980, Lehtinen ran for the Miami-based-116th District of the Florida House of Representatives. In the Democratic primary, he qualified for the run off with 44% of the vote in a three candidate race. In the September primary runoff he defeated incumbent State Representative Gene Flinn. In the general election, he defeated Republican nominee Chris Ferrer with 51% of the vote. In 1982, he won re-election, in the newly redrawn 118th district with 65%. In 1984, he won re-election unopposed.
In February 1985, he left the Democratic Party to become a Republican. This was only a few months before he married Republican State Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Lehtinen and his wife were both elected in 1986 to the Florida Senate, He was elected in District 40 and she was elected in District 34.
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