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{{Short description|American politician (born 1954)}}
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{{Infobox Congressman
| name = Lincoln Díaz-Balart
{{family name hatnote|Díaz-Balart|Caballero|lang=Spanish}}
⚫
{{Infobox officeholder
| image name = Lincoln Diaz-Balart.jpg
| imagesize = 200px
| name = Lincoln Díaz-Balart
| state = [[Florida]]
| image name = Lincoln Diaz-Balart.jpg
| district = {{ushr|FL|21|21st}}
| state = [[Florida]]
| district = {{ushr|FL|21|21st}}
⚫
| term_start = January 3, 1993
| term_end = January 3, 2011
| term_start = January 3, 1993
⚫
| term_end = January 3, 2011
| predecessor = ''Constituency established''
| predecessor = ''Constituency established''
| successor = [[Mario Díaz-Balart]]
| successor = [[Mario Díaz-Balart]]
| state_senate1 = Florida
| district1 = 34th
| state_senate1 = Florida
| term_start1 = August 30, 1989
| district1 = 34th
| term_end1 = January 3, 1993
| term_start1 = August 30, 1989
| term_end1 = November 17, 1992
| predecessor1 = [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]]<ref>https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=219366</ref>
| successor1 = [[Alberto Gutman]]<ref>https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=219373</ref>
| predecessor1 = [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=219366 | title=Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 34 - Special Election Race - Aug 29, 1989 }}</ref>
| successor1 = [[Alberto Gutman]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=219373 | title=Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 34 Race - Nov 06, 1990 }}</ref>
| state_house2 = Florida
| district2 = 110th
| state_house2 = Florida
| district2 = 110th
| term_start2 = January 3, 1987
| term_end2 = August 28, 1989
| term_start2 = November 18, 1986
| term_end2 = August 28, 1989
| predecessor2 = [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]]<ref>https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=225492</ref>
| successor2 = Miguel De Grandy<ref>https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=674879</ref>
| predecessor2 = [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=225492 | title=Our Campaigns - FL State House 110 Race - Nov 04, 1986 }}</ref>
| successor2 = [[Miguel De Grandy]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=674879 | title=Our Campaigns - FL State House 110 Race - Nov 08, 1988 }}</ref>
| birth_name = Lincoln Rafael Díaz-Balart y Caballero
| birth_name = Lincoln Rafael Díaz-Balart y Caballero
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|08|13}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|08|13}}
| birth_place = [[Havana, Cuba]]
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| birth_place = [[Havana]], Cuba
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] (1985–present)
⚫
| spouse = Cristina Fernandez
| otherparty = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] (before 1985)
⚫
| children = 2
⚫
| spouse = Cristina Fernandez
⚫
| parents = [[Rafael Díaz-Balart]]<br>Hilda Caballero Brunet
⚫
| children = 2
| occupation = [[Lawyer|Attorney]]
⚫
| parents = [[Rafael Díaz-Balart]]<br />Hilda Caballero Brunet
⚫
| alma_mater = [[New College of Florida]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Case Western Reserve University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| residence = [[Miami, Florida]]
| occupation = [[Lawyer|Attorney]]
⚫
| education = [[New College of Florida]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Case Western Reserve University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
⚫
| website =
| residence = [[Miami]], Florida
| relatives = [[José Díaz-Balart]] (brother)<br>[[Mario Díaz-Balart]] (brother)<br>[[Mirta Díaz-Balart]] (aunt)<br>[[Waldo Díaz-Balart]] (uncle)<br>[[Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart]] (cousin)
⚫
| website =
}}
}}


'''Lincoln Rafael Díaz-Balart''' (born '''Lincoln Rafael Díaz-Balart y Caballero'''; August 13, 1954) is a [[Cuban-American]] attorney and politician. He was the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] for {{ushr|Florida|21|}} from 1993 to 2011. He is a member of the [[United States Republican Party|Republican Party]]. He previously served in the [[Florida House of Representatives]] and the [[Florida Senate]]. He retired from Congress in 2011 and his younger brother, [[Mario Díaz-Balart]], who had previously represented {{ushr|Florida|25|}}, succeeded him. He is currently chairman of the [[Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute]]. After leaving Congress, he started a law practice and a consulting firm, both based in [[Miami, Florida]].
'''Lincoln Rafael Díaz-Balart''' (born '''Lincoln Rafael Díaz-Balart y Caballero'''; August 13, 1954) is a [[Cuban-American]] attorney and politician. He was the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|Florida|21|}} from 1993 to 2011. He is a member of the [[United States Republican Party|Republican Party]]. He previously served in the [[Florida House of Representatives]] and the [[Florida Senate]]. He retired from Congress in 2011 and his younger brother, [[Mario Díaz-Balart]], who had previously represented {{ushr|Florida|25|}}, succeeded him. He is currently chairman of the [[Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute]]. After leaving Congress, he started a law practice and a consulting firm, both based in [[Miami, Florida]].


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Díaz-Balart was born in [[Havana]], [[Cuba]], to the late [[Cuba]]n politician [[Rafael Díaz-Balart]] and Hilda Caballero Brunet. His aunt, [[Mirta Díaz-Balart]], was the first wife of the late [[Fidel Castro]]. Her son, and his cousin was the late [[Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart|Dr. Fidel Ángel "Fidelito" Castro Díaz-Balart]]. His uncle is the Cuban-Spanish painter, [[Waldo Díaz-Balart]].{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}
Díaz-Balart was born in [[Havana]], [[Cuba]], to the late [[Cuba]]n politician [[Rafael Díaz-Balart]] and Hilda Caballero Brunet. His aunt, [[Mirta Díaz-Balart]], was the first wife of the late [[Fidel Castro]]. Her son, and his cousin was the late [[Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart|Dr. Fidel Ángel "Fidelito" Castro Díaz-Balart]]. His uncle is the Cuban-Spanish painter, [[Waldo Díaz-Balart]].{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}


He was educated at the American School of Madrid in [[Madrid]]; [[New College of Florida]]; and [[Case Western Reserve University]], from which he earned a law degree. He was involved in a Miami private practice for several years before holding elective office.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}
He was educated at the [[American School of Madrid]] in Spain; [[New College of Florida]]; and [[Case Western Reserve University]], from which he earned a [[Juris Doctor]] degree. He was involved in a Miami private practice for several years before holding elective office.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}


==Political career==
==Political career==
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* '''[[United States House Committee on Rules|Committee on Rules]]''' (Vice Chairman 2005–2007)
* '''[[United States House Committee on Rules|Committee on Rules]]''' (Vice Chairman 2005–2007)
** [[United States House Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process|Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process]] (Chairman 2005–2007, Ranking Member 2007–2011)
** [[United States House Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process|Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process]] (Chairman 2005–2007, Ranking Member 2007–2011)
* '''[[United States House Committee on Homeland Security|Committee on Homeland Security]]
* '''[[United States House Committee on Homeland Security|Committee on Homeland Security]]'''
** Subcommittee on Rules (Chairman 2003–2005)
** Subcommittee on Rules (Chairman 2003–2005)


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==Political positions==
==Political positions==
In general, Diaz-Balart's voting record has been moderate by Republican standards. His lifetime rating from the [[American Conservative Union]] is 73.<ref>http://www.acuratings.org/2007all.htm#FL {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731120804/http://www.acuratings.org/2007all.htm |date=2008-07-31 }}</ref>
In general, Diaz-Balart's voting record has been moderate by Republican standards. His lifetime rating from the [[American Conservative Union]] is 73.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acuratings.org/2007all.htm#FL |title= 2007 Votes by State Delegation|website=www.acuratings.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731120804/http://www.acuratings.org/2007all.htm |archive-date=2008-07-31}}</ref>


In 1994, he was one of only three Republican incumbents not to sign the Republican [[Contract with America]]. He objected to provisions in its welfare reform section that would deny federal programs to legal immigrants.<ref name="Library of Congress">{{cite web|title=Hispanic Americans in Congress|url=https://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/congress/diazbalart.html|publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
In 1994, he was one of only three Republican incumbents not to sign the Republican [[Contract with America]]. He objected to provisions in its welfare reform section that would deny federal programs to legal immigrants.<ref name="Library of Congress">{{cite web|title=Hispanic Americans in Congress|url=https://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/congress/diazbalart.html|publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
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In 2006, he voted against the [[Federal Marriage Amendment]] and in 2009 voted for the [[Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act]], which expanded the federal hate crime law to include a person's perceived gender, sexual orientation, identity or disability.<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll223.xml United States House of Representatives Roll Call Vote on H.R. 1913]</ref> In December 2010, Diaz-Balart was one of fifteen Republican House members to vote in favor of repealing the [[United States military]]'s "[[Don't Ask, Don't Tell]]" ban on [[openly gay]] service members.<ref name=metro_weekly_20101215>Chris Geidner, [http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2010/12/breaking-house-passes-dadt-rep.html House Passes DADT Repeal Bill] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021205547/http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2010/12/breaking-house-passes-dadt-rep.html |date=2013-10-21 }}, ''[[Metro Weekly]]'' (December 15, 2010).</ref><ref name=nytimes_20101215>[http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/house/2/638 House Vote 638 – Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118070035/http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/house/2/638 |date=2016-01-18 }}, ''[[New York Times]]'' (December 15, 2010).</ref>
In 2006, he voted against the [[Federal Marriage Amendment]] and in 2009 voted for the [[Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act]], which expanded the federal hate crime law to include a person's perceived gender, sexual orientation, identity or disability.<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll223.xml United States House of Representatives Roll Call Vote on H.R. 1913]</ref> In December 2010, Diaz-Balart was one of fifteen Republican House members to vote in favor of repealing the [[United States military]]'s "[[Don't Ask, Don't Tell]]" ban on [[openly gay]] service members.<ref name=metro_weekly_20101215>Chris Geidner, [http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2010/12/breaking-house-passes-dadt-rep.html House Passes DADT Repeal Bill] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021205547/http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2010/12/breaking-house-passes-dadt-rep.html |date=2013-10-21 }}, ''[[Metro Weekly]]'' (December 15, 2010).</ref><ref name=nytimes_20101215>[http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/house/2/638 House Vote 638 – Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118070035/http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/house/2/638 |date=2016-01-18 }}, ''[[New York Times]]'' (December 15, 2010).</ref>


He was a sponsor of the Homeland Security Act. He was a sponsor of the [[DREAM Act]] which seeks to facilitate access for illegal immigrant students to post-secondary education by allowing states to have power to determine requirements for in-state tuition.<ref>[http://diaz-balart.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=111&Month=3&Year=2007 Lincoln Diaz-Balart – United States Congressman<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070426021146/http://diaz-balart.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=111&Month=3&Year=2007 |date=2007-04-26 }}</ref>
He was a sponsor of the Homeland Security Act. He was a sponsor of the [[DREAM Act]] which seeks to facilitate access for illegal immigrant students to post-secondary education by allowing states to have power to determine requirements for in-state tuition.<ref>[http://diaz-balart.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=111&Month=3&Year=2007 Lincoln Diaz-Balart – United States Congressman<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070426021146/http://diaz-balart.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=111&Month=3&Year=2007 |date=2007-04-26 }}</ref>


He achieved passage into law of historic pieces of legislation – such as the [[Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act]] (NACARA), and the codification of the U.S. embargo on Cuba (requiring that all political prisoners be freed and multi-party elections scheduled in Cuba before U.S. sanctions can be lifted). Diaz-Balart took the rule to the floor of the House for passage of the legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security and the extension (for 25 years) of the Voting Rights Act.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}
He achieved passage into law of historic pieces of legislation – such as the [[Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act]] (NACARA), and the codification of the U.S. embargo on Cuba (requiring that all political prisoners be freed and multi-party elections scheduled in Cuba before U.S. sanctions can be lifted). Diaz-Balart took the rule to the floor of the House for passage of the legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security and the extension (for 25 years) of the Voting Rights Act.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}


===Cuba===
===Cuba===
Diaz-Balart played a prominent role in the [[Cuban-American lobby]], and was active in the attempt by relatives of [[Elian Gonzalez]] to gain custody of the six-year-old from his Cuban father.<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0001/15/smn.02.html Politicization of Elian Gonzalez Often at Cross-Purposes With Law]. CNN transcripts.</ref> Diaz-Balart was a member of the [[Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus]].{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}
Diaz-Balart played a prominent role in the [[Cuban-American lobby]], and was active in the attempt by relatives of [[Elian Gonzalez]] to gain custody of the six-year-old from his Cuban father.<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0001/15/smn.02.html Politicization of Elian Gonzalez Often at Cross-Purposes With Law] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010239/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0001/15/smn.02.html |date=2016-03-05 }}. CNN transcripts.</ref> Diaz-Balart was a member of the [[Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus]].{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}


===Healthcare===
===Healthcare===
In March 2010, Diaz-Balart publicly called the passage of the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] "a decisive step in the weakening of the United States." <ref>{{cite news|title=Obama Hails Vote on Health Care as Answering 'the Call of History'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/22/health/policy/22health.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|newspaper=New York Times|date=March 22, 2010|first1=Robert|last1=Pear|first2=David M.|last2=Herszenhorn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Final Roll Call Vote, On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll165.xml|publisher=Office of the Clerk|accessdate=March 21, 2010}}</ref>
In March 2010, Diaz-Balart publicly called the passage of the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] "a decisive step in the weakening of the United States."<ref>{{cite news|title=Obama Hails Vote on Health Care as Answering 'the Call of History'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/22/health/policy/22health.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|newspaper=New York Times|date=March 22, 2010|first1=Robert|last1=Pear|first2=David M.|last2=Herszenhorn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Final Roll Call Vote, On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll165.xml|publisher=Office of the Clerk|access-date=March 21, 2010}}</ref>


===2008 financial crisis===
===2008 financial crisis===
On September 29, 2008, Diaz-Balart voted against the [[Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008]]<ref name="Bailout Roll Call">{{cite web|title= Bailout Roll Call | url= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/29/bailout.rollcall.0929.pdf|format=PDF| date= 2008-09-29 |accessdate=September 29, 2008 }}</ref> "American taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for the irresponsible behavior of Wall Street executives. The average citizen is forced to play by the rules, yet many who did not now get a massive bailout from taxpayers in this plan. This is fundamentally unfair. By bailing out reckless behavior we encourage future reckless behavior."<ref>{{cite news|title=Update on Financial Crisis Legislation-From Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart|url=http://metrolatinousa.com/2008/09/30/congressman-diaz-balarts-message-to-constituents-on-bailout-bill/|newspaper=Real Estate Services with RealEstateLatino.com|date=October 1, 2008}}</ref>
On September 29, 2008, Diaz-Balart voted against the [[Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008]]<ref name="Bailout Roll Call">{{cite web|title= Bailout Roll Call | url= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/29/bailout.rollcall.0929.pdf| date= 2008-09-29 |access-date=September 29, 2008 }}</ref> "American taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for the irresponsible behavior of Wall Street executives. The average citizen is forced to play by the rules, yet many who did not now get a massive bailout from taxpayers in this plan. This is fundamentally unfair. By bailing out reckless behavior we encourage future reckless behavior."<ref>{{cite news|title=Update on Financial Crisis Legislation-From Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart|url=http://metrolatinousa.com/2008/09/30/congressman-diaz-balarts-message-to-constituents-on-bailout-bill/|newspaper=Real Estate Services with RealEstateLatino.com|date=October 1, 2008}}</ref>


==Political campaigns==
==Political campaigns==
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===2010===
===2010===
{{see also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 21}}
{{see also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 21}}
In February 2010, Diaz-Balart announced his intention not to seek re-election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/43199-1.html?type=printer_friendly |title=Mario Diaz-Balart Will Run to Succeed His Brother |publisher=Roll Call |date=2010-02-11 |accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref> His brother, Congressman [[Mario Diaz-Balart]], ran to succeed him<ref>{{cite web|last=Chang |first=Daniel |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/30/1607294/lively-house-races-on-the-ballot.html |title=Lively House races on the ballot – Political Currents |publisher=MiamiHerald.com |date=2010-04-30 |accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref> and won.
In February 2010, Diaz-Balart announced his intention not to seek re-election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/43199-1.html?type=printer_friendly |title=Mario Diaz-Balart Will Run to Succeed His Brother |publisher=Roll Call |date=2010-02-11 |access-date=2010-08-23}}</ref> His brother, Congressman [[Mario Díaz-Balart]], ran to succeed him<ref>{{cite web|last=Chang |first=Daniel |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/30/1607294/lively-house-races-on-the-ballot.html |title=Lively House races on the ballot – Political Currents |publisher=MiamiHerald.com |date=2010-04-30 |access-date=2010-08-23}}</ref> and won.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Díaz-Balart is married to Cristina Fernandez and had two children: Lincoln Jr. and Daniel. Lincoln died on May 19, 2013, at the age of 29.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caputo|first=Marc|title=IP: Lincoln Gabriel Diaz-Balart, 29|url=http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/05/rip-lincoln-gabriel-diaz-balart-29.html|publisher=The Miami Herald|accessdate=20 May 2013}}</ref> His family said he had battled depression for many years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lincoln Gabriel Diaz-Balart, U.S. Representative's Nephew, Dies At 29|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/20/lincoln-gabriel-diaz-balart-dead_n_3306868.html?ir=Politics|publisher=The Huffington Post|accessdate=20 May 2013|first=Ana|last=Benedetti|date=May 20, 2013}}</ref>
Díaz-Balart is married to Cristina Fernandez and had two children: Lincoln Jr. and Daniel. Lincoln Jr. died on May 19, 2013, at the age of 29.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caputo|first=Marc|title=IP: Lincoln Gabriel Diaz-Balart, 29|url=http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/05/rip-lincoln-gabriel-diaz-balart-29.html|publisher=The Miami Herald|access-date=20 May 2013}}</ref> His family said he had battled depression for many years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lincoln Gabriel Diaz-Balart, U.S. Representative's Nephew, Dies At 29|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/20/lincoln-gabriel-diaz-balart-dead_n_3306868.html?ir=Politics|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=20 May 2013|first=Ana|last=Benedetti|date=May 20, 2013}}</ref>


Díaz-Balart's brother, [[Mario Díaz-Balart]], previously represented the 25th district of Florida, moved to the 21st district, but moved back to the 25th district after [[redistricting]]. He has two other brothers: [[Jose Diaz-Balart]], a journalist and anchor of the Saturday edition of the ''[[NBC Nightly News]]'', and Rafael Díaz-Balart, a consultant.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}
Díaz-Balart's brother, [[Mario Díaz-Balart]], previously represented the 25th district of Florida, moved to the 21st district, but moved back to the 25th district after [[redistricting]]. He has two other brothers: [[José Díaz-Balart]], a journalist and anchorman of the Saturday edition of the ''[[NBC Nightly News]]'', and Rafael Díaz-Balart, an investment consultant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://braincenter.org/team/rafael-diaz-balart/|title=Rafael Diaz-Balart – Biography|work=braincenter.org|access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://diaz-balart.house.gov/ U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart] ''official U.S. House site''
* [http://diaz-balart.house.gov/ U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart] ''official U.S. House website''
* {{CongLinks | congbio=d000299 | votesmart= | fec=H2FL19037 | congress= }}<!--
* {{CongLinks | congbio=d000299 | votesmart= | fec=H2FL19037 | congress= }}
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* {{C-SPAN|25887}}
Links formerly displayed via the CongLinks template:
* [http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/400107 Congressional profile] at [[GovTrack]]
* [http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/400107_Lincoln_Diaz_Balart Congressional profile] at [[Participatory Politics Foundation|OpenCongress]]
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00002872 Financial information (federal office)] at [[Center for Responsive Politics|OpenSecrets.org]]
* [http://www.legistorm.com/member/206/Rep_Lincoln_Rafael_Diaz_Balart.html Staff salaries, trips and personal finance] at LegiStorm.com
* [http://www.ontheissues.org/FL/Lincoln_Diaz-Balart.htm Issue positions and quotes] at [[On the Issues]]
* [http://www.c-spanvideo.org/person/25887 Appearances] on [[C-SPAN]] programs
* -->
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* {{C-SPAN|lincolndiazbalart}}
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Lincoln_Diaz_Balart Profile] at [[SourceWatch]]
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Lincoln_Diaz_Balart Profile] at [[SourceWatch]]


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-fl-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Florida House of Representatives]]<br />from the 110th district|years=1986–1989}}
{{s-aft|after=Miguel De Grandy}}
|-
{{s-par|us-fl-sen}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Florida Senate]]<br />from the 34th district|years=1989–1992}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Alberto Gutman]]}}
|-
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=District Created}}
{{succession box | before=District Created | title=[[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]]<br>[[Florida's 21st congressional district]] | years=1993–2011 | after=[[Mario Díaz-Balart]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States Representatives from Florida|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br />from [[Florida's 21st congressional district]]|years=1993–2011}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mario Díaz-Balart]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bart Stupak]]|as=Former US Representative}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br />''{{small|as Former US Representative}}''|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Larry Combest]]|as=Former US Representative}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


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[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American anti-communists]]
[[Category:American politicians of Cuban descent]]
[[Category:American politicians of Cuban descent]]
[[Category:Case Western Reserve University School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Case Western Reserve University School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Cuban emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Cuban emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Cuban-American Republicans]]
[[Category:Díaz-Balart family|Lincoln]]
[[Category:Díaz-Balart family|Lincoln]]
[[Category:Florida Republicans]]
[[Category:Republican Party Florida state senators]]
[[Category:Florida state senators]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in Florida]]
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[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American members of the United States Congress]]
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[[Category:Members of the Florida House of Representatives]]
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Latest revision as of 20:18, 21 November 2024

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Díaz-Balart and the second or maternal family name is Caballero.
Lincoln Díaz-Balart
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 21st district
In office
January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2011
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byMario Díaz-Balart
Member of the Florida Senate
from the 34th district
In office
August 30, 1989 – November 17, 1992
Preceded byIleana Ros-Lehtinen[1]
Succeeded byAlberto Gutman[2]
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 110th district
In office
November 18, 1986 – August 28, 1989
Preceded byIleana Ros-Lehtinen[3]
Succeeded byMiguel De Grandy[4]
Personal details
Born
Lincoln Rafael Díaz-Balart y Caballero

(1954-08-13) August 13, 1954 (age 70)
Havana, Cuba
Political partyRepublican (1985–present)
Other political
affiliations		Democratic (before 1985)
SpouseCristina Fernandez
Children2
Parent(s)Rafael Díaz-Balart
Hilda Caballero Brunet
RelativesJosé Díaz-Balart (brother)
Mario Díaz-Balart (brother)
Mirta Díaz-Balart (aunt)
Waldo Díaz-Balart (uncle)
Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart (cousin)
Residence(s)Miami, Florida
EducationNew College of Florida (BA)
Case Western Reserve University (JD)
OccupationAttorney

Lincoln Rafael Díaz-Balart (born Lincoln Rafael Díaz-Balart y Caballero; August 13, 1954) is a Cuban-American attorney and politician. He was the U.S. representative for Florida's 21st congressional district from 1993 to 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. He retired from Congress in 2011 and his younger brother, Mario Díaz-Balart, who had previously represented Florida's 25th congressional district, succeeded him. He is currently chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute. After leaving Congress, he started a law practice and a consulting firm, both based in Miami, Florida.

Early life and education

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Díaz-Balart was born in Havana, Cuba, to the late Cuban politician Rafael Díaz-Balart and Hilda Caballero Brunet. His aunt, Mirta Díaz-Balart, was the first wife of the late Fidel Castro. Her son, and his cousin was the late Dr. Fidel Ángel "Fidelito" Castro Díaz-Balart. His uncle is the Cuban-Spanish painter, Waldo Díaz-Balart.[citation needed]

He was educated at the American School of Madrid in Spain; New College of Florida; and Case Western Reserve University, from which he earned a Juris Doctor degree. He was involved in a Miami private practice for several years before holding elective office.[citation needed]

Political career

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In 1982, he ran for a Florida House of Representatives seat for District 113 as a Democrat and lost to the Republican, Humberto Cortina.[5]

Díaz-Balart, as well as his immediate family, were all members of the Democratic Party. Díaz-Balart was the former president of the Dade County Young Democrats and the Florida Young Democrats, as well as a member of the executive committee of the Dade County Democratic Party.[6] On April 24, 1985, Diaz-Balart, his wife, and brother Mario switched their registrations to Republican.[7]

Díaz-Balart served as a Republican in the Florida House of Representatives from 1986 to 1989 and in the Florida Senate from 1989 to 1992.[citation needed]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Congressional committees

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Party leadership

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Political positions

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In general, Diaz-Balart's voting record has been moderate by Republican standards. His lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union is 73.[8]

In 1994, he was one of only three Republican incumbents not to sign the Republican Contract with America. He objected to provisions in its welfare reform section that would deny federal programs to legal immigrants.[9]

In 2006, he voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment and in 2009 voted for the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expanded the federal hate crime law to include a person's perceived gender, sexual orientation, identity or disability.[10] In December 2010, Diaz-Balart was one of fifteen Republican House members to vote in favor of repealing the United States military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on openly gay service members.[11][12]

He was a sponsor of the Homeland Security Act. He was a sponsor of the DREAM Act which seeks to facilitate access for illegal immigrant students to post-secondary education by allowing states to have power to determine requirements for in-state tuition.[13]

He achieved passage into law of historic pieces of legislation – such as the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), and the codification of the U.S. embargo on Cuba (requiring that all political prisoners be freed and multi-party elections scheduled in Cuba before U.S. sanctions can be lifted). Diaz-Balart took the rule to the floor of the House for passage of the legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security and the extension (for 25 years) of the Voting Rights Act.[citation needed]

Cuba

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Diaz-Balart played a prominent role in the Cuban-American lobby, and was active in the attempt by relatives of Elian Gonzalez to gain custody of the six-year-old from his Cuban father.[14] Diaz-Balart was a member of the Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus.[citation needed]

Healthcare

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In March 2010, Diaz-Balart publicly called the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act "a decisive step in the weakening of the United States."[15][16]

2008 financial crisis

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On September 29, 2008, Diaz-Balart voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008[17] "American taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for the irresponsible behavior of Wall Street executives. The average citizen is forced to play by the rules, yet many who did not now get a massive bailout from taxpayers in this plan. This is fundamentally unfair. By bailing out reckless behavior we encourage future reckless behavior."[18]

Political campaigns

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1992 to 1998

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In 1992, Diaz-Balart defeated fellow State Senator Javier Souto in the Republican primary for the newly created 21st District. No other party put up a candidate, assuring Diaz-Balart's election. He was unopposed for reelection in 1994, 1996, 2000, and 2002 and defeated Democrat Patrick Cusack with 75 percent in 1998.

2004 and 2006

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See also: 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 21

In both 2004 and 2006, Lincoln Diaz-Balart was unsuccessfully challenged by Frank J. Gonzalez [1], a Libertarian Party candidate in 2004 and Democrat in 2006. In 2004, Diaz-Balart won with 73% of the vote. In 2006, Diaz-Balart won with 59% of the vote.

In 2004, Gonzalez ran for U.S. House as the Libertarian Party candidate and spent around $12,000 and earned 54,736 votes or 27% of the total.

In 2006, Gonzalez managed to earn 45,522 votes or 41% according to the Florida Department of State's Division of Elections website.[citation needed]

2008

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See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 21

Diaz-Balart's Democratic opponent in 2008 was former Hialeah Mayor Raul L. Martinez. It was initially thought that Diaz-Balart would face his toughest race to date. Although the 21st District is considered the most Republican district in the Miami area, Martinez was thought to be very popular in the area. Nevertheless, Diaz-Balart won re-election with 58% of the vote.[citation needed]

2010

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See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 21

In February 2010, Diaz-Balart announced his intention not to seek re-election.[19] His brother, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, ran to succeed him[20] and won.

Personal life

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Díaz-Balart is married to Cristina Fernandez and had two children: Lincoln Jr. and Daniel. Lincoln Jr. died on May 19, 2013, at the age of 29.[21] His family said he had battled depression for many years.[22]

Díaz-Balart's brother, Mario Díaz-Balart, previously represented the 25th district of Florida, moved to the 21st district, but moved back to the 25th district after redistricting. He has two other brothers: José Díaz-Balart, a journalist and anchorman of the Saturday edition of the NBC Nightly News, and Rafael Díaz-Balart, an investment consultant.[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 34 - Special Election Race - Aug 29, 1989".
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 34 Race - Nov 06, 1990".
  3. ^ "Our Campaigns - FL State House 110 Race - Nov 04, 1986".
  4. ^ "Our Campaigns - FL State House 110 Race - Nov 08, 1988".
  5. ^ The Miami Herald; Emotions Racing in Little Havana, October 31, 1982
  6. ^ The Miami Herald, Latin Opponents Take Traditional Party Stands by Elizabeth Morgan, October 10, 1982
  7. ^ El Nuevo Herald, Díaz-Balart Se Pasa Al Partido Republicano, April 24, 1985
  8. ^ "2007 Votes by State Delegation". www.acuratings.org. Archived from the original on 2008-07-31.
  9. ^ "Hispanic Americans in Congress". Library of Congress.
  10. ^ United States House of Representatives Roll Call Vote on H.R. 1913
  11. ^ Chris Geidner, House Passes DADT Repeal Bill Archived 2013-10-21 at the Wayback Machine, Metro Weekly (December 15, 2010).
  12. ^ House Vote 638 – Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Archived 2016-01-18 at the Wayback Machine, New York Times (December 15, 2010).
  13. ^ Lincoln Diaz-Balart – United States Congressman Archived 2007-04-26 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Politicization of Elian Gonzalez Often at Cross-Purposes With Law Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine. CNN transcripts.
  15. ^ Pear, Robert; Herszenhorn, David M. (March 22, 2010). "Obama Hails Vote on Health Care as Answering 'the Call of History'". New York Times.
  16. ^ "Final Roll Call Vote, On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act". Office of the Clerk. Retrieved March 21, 2010.
  17. ^ "Bailout Roll Call" (PDF). 2008-09-29. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  18. ^ "Update on Financial Crisis Legislation-From Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart". Real Estate Services with RealEstateLatino.com. October 1, 2008.
  19. ^ "Mario Diaz-Balart Will Run to Succeed His Brother". Roll Call. 2010-02-11. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  20. ^ Chang, Daniel (2010-04-30). "Lively House races on the ballot – Political Currents". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  21. ^ Caputo, Marc. "IP: Lincoln Gabriel Diaz-Balart, 29". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  22. ^ Benedetti, Ana (May 20, 2013). "Lincoln Gabriel Diaz-Balart, U.S. Representative's Nephew, Dies At 29". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  23. ^ "Rafael Diaz-Balart – Biography". braincenter.org. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
[edit]
Florida House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 110th district
1986–1989 		Succeeded by
Miguel De Grandy
Florida Senate
Preceded by Member of the Florida Senate
from the 34th district
1989–1992 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
District Created
 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 21st congressional district
1993–2011 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
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