Vicki Lopez is an American politician. She serves as a Republican member for the 113th district of the Florida House of Representatives, first elected in 2022.
Early Life
Lopez was born in Tampa, and raised in Fort Myers. Her father was convicted of murdering his secretary's wife, and then later had that sentenced overturned on the grounds of self-defense. Lopez attended the University of Notre Dame.
Political career
In November 1990, Lopez was elected to the Board of County Commissioners for Lee County, Florida. She resigned in January 1993.
In 1997, Lopez was convicted for honest services mail fraud and sentenced to 27 months in federal prison. Her sentence was commuted by President Bill Clinton in November 2000, after serving more than 15 months. The conviction was vacated by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in February 2011.
After her release, Lopez worked as an advocate under Governor Jeb Bush, specializing in criminal justice reform. She also took up leadership roles with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
In 2011, she was accused of misusing the funds allocated for Florida juvenile detention facilities on office furniture and intercontinental phone bills, among other charges.
In August 2022, Lopez returned to elected office, defeating Alberto Perosch in the Republican primary election for the 113th district of the Florida House of Representatives. In November 2022, she defeated Alessandro D'Amico in the general election, winning 51 percent of the votes.
Personal life
Lopez married Sylvester Lukis in 1994. Lukis was a D.C. lobbyist, representing clients before the Lee County board. The couple's son, Donald Wolfe III, is the Chief of Staff for Miami City Mayor Francis Suarez.
Lopez owns and runs VLL Consulting, a Florida-based government and public affairs firm.
References
Living people
Year of birth missing (living people) Place of birth missing (living people) Republican Party members of the Florida House of Representatives 21st-century American politicians 21st-century American women politicians University of Notre Dame alumni