Al Cardenas

Al Cardenas was elected Chairman of the American Conservative Union after more than 30 years as a leader in the conservative movement. When he was twelve, the Cardenas family escaped communist Cuba to start a new life in America.  His life has been dedicated to the limited government, pro-life values that define American exceptionalism.

Cardenas has succeeded through hard work, cofounding Tew Cardenas LLP law firm, establishing a wealth management company, a real estate development company, and serving on the board of several financial institutions.

In 1993, Cardenas was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman, then Chairman, of the Republican Party of Florida.  During his decade of service, the Florida GOP gained majorities in the state legislature and congressional delegation for the first time since Reconstruction.

In 1975 and 1980, Cardenas served as Florida Co-Chair of Reagan’s presidential campaigns and delegate to the conventions.  Cardenas headed the transition team for President Reagan’s US Department of Commerce and became the first ambassador to St. Nevis-Kitt upon their independence in 1982.  In 1978 Cardenas ran for Congress against liberal Claude Pepper.

Mr. Cardenas has frequently appeared on network television -- CNN, FOX, MSNBC, Univision, CNN Espanol, and Telemundo.  He is also a regular opinion editorial columnist.

Cardenas holds a law degree from Seton Hall (J.D., 1974) and was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.  He has been counsel of record in a number of precedent-setting and published court decisions.  He was elected by his peers nationally as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” from 2007 through 2010.

Cardenas and his wife of 32 years, Diana, reside in Key Biscayne, Florida.  They have five children and four grandchildren.