Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen represents the 18th District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2008, she defeated challenger Annette Tadeo and was re-elected to her 11th term. She voted for the passage of a law that would provide mortgage refinancing to homeowners.1 In early December 2008, Ros-Lehtinen hung up on Barack Obama and Rahm Emanuel, believing that calls from them were a radio station prank. Obama had called Ros-Lehtinen to congratulate her on her re-election.2
Fast Facts
- Born: July 15, 1952
- Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
- Assumed office: 1989
- Party: Republican2
- Spouse: Dexter Lehtinen
- Alma mater (Ph.D): University of Miami (2004)
- Ph.D degree: Higher Education
- Previous position held: Senator (Florida State Senate)3
- Vote percentage in 2008 elections: 58%
Political Career
- 1983-1986: Florida State House of Representatives
- 1987-1989: Florida State Senate
- 1989-current: Florida Representative3
Congressional Committees
- International Relations
- Foreign Affairs (ranking member)3
Quotes
"I thought it was one of the radio stations in South Florida playing an incredible, elaborate, terrific prank on me... They got Fidel Castro to go along. They've gotten Hugo Chavez and others to fall for their tricks. I said, 'Oh, no, I won't be punked.'"—Ros-Lehtinen, on calls from Obama and Emanuel2
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Cuba | Florida | Republican Party | U.S. House of Representatives | Senate Landmark Housing Bill | Housing Bubble | Mortgages
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