Janet Cruz
| Janet Cruz | |
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| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 62nd district |
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Assumed office November 20, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Glorioso |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 58th district |
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In office March 2, 2010 – November 20, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Scionti |
| Succeeded by | Dan Raulerson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 7, 1956 Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Dr. Stephen "Steve" Rifkin |
| Children | Ana Cruz, Raymond "Nick" Cruz, Stephen Rifkin, Lauren McCauley |
| Alma mater | Hillsborough Community College (A.A.S.) |
| Profession | Optician/healthcare executive |
Janet Cruz (born July 7, 1956) is a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 62nd District, which includes northwestern Hillsborough County, stretching from downtown Tampa to Town 'n' Country. She has represented the 62nd District since 2012, and previously represented the 58th District from 2010 to 2012.
Cruz was born in Tampa and attended Hillsborough Community College, where she graduated with an Associate degree in opticianry in 1977. She had her first child at the age of 16 and started a small business to support herself and her family. Cruz owns and operates Pearle Vision Centers, and worked as a Regional Director for Cigna Healthcare in Senior Group Sales.
On December 13, 2009, State Representative Michael Scionti resigned from the House to serve as the Deputy Assistant secretary of Defense for Intergovernmental Affairs and Homeland Defense, which prompted a special election in the 58th District. Cruz opted to run in the special election, despite the fact that she did not live in the district, and faced Pat Kemp, the Chairwoman of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party, and Gil Sanchez, an attorney, in the Democratic primary. She came under fire for not living in the district, and responded by emphasizing her west Tampa roots, noting, "I walk into the West Tampa Sandwich Shop and know every person at every table. West Tampa is not a physicality, it's a way of life. My heritage is there." The Tampa Tribune endorsed Cruz, noting that she "is well-connected to the Hispanic community but is concerned with the needs of all residents in the mostly working-class district," and suggesting that "Cruz would be more effective in the Republican-dominated legislature." In a low-turnout primary election, Cruz narrowly edged out Kemp by 53 votes with 47% of the vote to Kemp's 45% and Sanchez's 8%. In the general election, she faced Hunter Chamberlin, the Republican nominee, whom she easily defeated with 65% of the vote, and was sworn into her first term. Later that year, during regularly scheduled elections, she ran for re-election against independent candidate Joe Redner, whom she dispatched with 73% of the vote without much difficulty.
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