On December 4th, word began leaking out that President-elect Trump may be considering Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for a cabinet post. While the move is far from certain as of this writing, what would happen if he did appoint DeSantis? That would leave some big shoes to fill in the Governor’s office.
Could the Chair of Florida Space be Florida’s next Governor? Actually, it’s almost certain that she would. Among her other duties, Florida Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez has served as the chair for the State Agency since being appointed to the position on September 18th 2023 by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Since its creation in 2006, Space Florida’s mission has been to strengthen Florida’s position as a global leader in aerospace commerce. The agency works to facilitate economic developement and building growth, to include improving the infrastructure at the Canaveral spaceport through public-private partnerships.
During her time with Space Florida, Jeanette Nuñez, Florida’s Lieutenant Governor since 2019, has played a pivotal role in advancing the state’s aerospace sector. As Chair of Space Florida’s Board of Directors, she has overseen significant developments, including a record 80 launches in 2023 and the projection of over 100 launches for 2024.
Her leadership also facilitated the establishment of the Florida University Space Research Consortium, enhancing collaboration between leading universities and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
If Nuñez were to become Florida’s governor, her extensive experience and established relationships within the aerospace industry could further benefit Space Florida. Her tenure as Lieutenant Governor has demonstrated a commitment to fostering innovation and expanding the state’s aerospace capabilities. Elevating her to the governorship would likely continue this trajectory, potentially attracting more aerospace investments and solidifying Florida’s position as a leader in space exploration and commerce.
