Tatiana Fernandez - Ballotpedia

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Tatiana Fernandez (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 7th Congressional District. She lost in the Democratic primary on August 20, 2024.

Fernandez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Tatiana Fernandez was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico. Fernandez's professional experience includes working as a business owner in the industrial and medical equipment industry.^[1]

Elections

2024

See also: Florida's 7th Congressional District election, 2024

Florida's 7th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Democratic primary)

Florida's 7th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 7

Incumbent Cory Mills defeated Jennifer Adams in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 7 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cory Mills (R)	56.5	233,937
		Jennifer Adams (D)	43.5	179,917

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 413,854
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 7

Jennifer Adams defeated Allek Pastrana and Tatiana Fernandez in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 7 on August 20, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jennifer Adams	62.6	23,191
		Allek Pastrana	21.2	7,844
		Tatiana Fernandez	16.2	5,982

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 37,017
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 7

Incumbent Cory Mills defeated Michael Johnson in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 7 on August 20, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cory Mills	80.9	43,096
		Michael Johnson	19.1	10,188

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 53,284
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Derrick Brantley (R)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Fernandez in this election.

2022

See also: Florida's 7th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 7

Cory Mills defeated Karen Green and Cardon Pompey in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 7 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cory Mills (R)	58.5	177,966
		Karen Green (D)	41.5	126,079
	Submit photo	Cardon Pompey (No Party Affiliation) (Write-in)	0.0	10

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 304,055
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 7

Karen Green defeated Al Krulick, Tatiana Fernandez, and Allek Pastrana in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 7 on August 23, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Karen Green	44.9	23,051
		Al Krulick	21.0	10,787
		Tatiana Fernandez	20.0	10,261
		Allek Pastrana	14.2	7,289

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 51,388
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Stephanie Murphy (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 7

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 7 on August 23, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cory Mills	37.9	27,757
		Anthony Sabatini	23.7	17,332
		Brady Duke	15.3	11,221
		Ted Edwards	5.8	4,259
		Russell Roberts	5.5	4,031
		Erika Benfield	5.4	3,964
		Scott Sturgill	4.2	3,094
		Al Santos	2.1	1,504

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 73,162
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Tatiana Fernandez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Fernandez's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Let me the voice of reason for this district. I will put my excellent business experience and negotiation skills to deliver excellent constituent services to the excellent citizens of Florida. My past experience supporting the Seminole county Public schools and being liaison to many students with special needs helps me focus my efforts where they are needed most. Creating positions to newly graduated students have been my privilege and I now want to extend that to all of District 7.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Personal and Individual rights are sacred and no government should intrude in the personal affairs of their constituents.
Everyone has a right to work on a job that pays enough to cover their necessities and can provide food, a secure home and pay for All their needs.
Special needs people can be productive with the right supports, we should welcome everyone that wants to work withoiuth being discriminated..

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, Health, Security, and job creation in the manufcturing industry are very important to me. We also have to ensure affordable housing is attained, the insurance crisis is resolved and small business can be developed to their maximun growth. Vocational and Trade schools should be available to everyone that wants to learn a trade and help build a better Florida for Everyone.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

As a little kid, Franklin Delano Roosevelt for being a dignified president.
Lately, Sonia Sotomayor for her moral fortitude, work ethic and accurate ruling acumen.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Elected officials must be the moral example to follow. Their finances should be an open book. There must be a more strict code of conduct and no such thing as immunity should be offered for corruption crimes committed while in office. at the same time, the goverment should pore over their elected officials finances and any clerical errors should be corrected, and ammended, but currently the reporting process is way too convoluted.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Very Patient in analyzing problems to their root cause and find ways to effectively make a plan of action to deliver real results.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The House of Representatives has to go back to listen and help fulfill their constituents needs. We need to make sure the laws on the books fit their needs, and we can create the right environment for businesses to suceed, manufacturers to create jobs that can strenghten our communities and make sure our nation stays strong.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Being remebered as an effective problem solver that was able to improve their community, the quality of life and able to usher the new generation to a better world.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Unofficially, hair salon helper at 11 yrs old, to be able to afford school uniforms.
Officially, Fleet Bank in Boston as a customer service representative and teller for 2 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Don Quijote, by Cervantes. That books shows the human struggle against the windmills... and how futile some fights can be. "In everything... be prepared" (Boy Scout motto I learned a while back) . I always prepare for as many contingencies I can... and also make sure not to fight the windmills.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

We are the Champions, by Queen.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Being a Hispanic woman with two different children with very different diabilities helped me understand the parents plight for support. Its amazing the amount of people involved that are not committed to the quaity of life of children with disabilities, and how the parents needs, are never even considered.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The sheer size of the House of Representatives makes it the real thermometer of how the public feels. We can taste the general public desires by this bodys performance, and if they do not deliver, out they go in two years, Which is awesome.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I think having too much of goverment exposure is not a good thing. Secret deals can be hatched beforehand. When you are new to the process a business criticl mind can shed a different view that is not being considered by the existing political views. We need younger people, and new candidates, to keep democracy alive. This should not be a Forever job. Everyone should bring their best ideas for a while, then step aside to keep the next generation involved.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

We need to Maintain our union at all costs. We need to shake off the economic influence from China, balance our budget and take care of our peoples' healthcare. We need a healthy workforce to grow our economy and health is not a benefit of the few. It should be the right of all. We need to reshore manufacturing, improve education on fields that help us grow as a nation and as an economic motor of the world.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Two years is about right for ALL Elected positions. It gives the public a fair chance to assess a candiate performance.. and if they turned out to be corrupt, incompetent, or little Dictator... they can be voted out of office. This job is a privilege and the candidate is there to serve our Country, not to serve themselves.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

10/12 years are the maximum time anyone should be in public office. We don’t have kings or kingdoms in this country and some people forget that.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have been listening to the same horror stories that involve the Housing and insurance crisis for way too long. Students with Special needs are hit pretty hard as they struggle significantly harder to find their place in our society. I have been instilling into every high school student I have had the honor to instruct in the OJT (On the Job Training) program, that Help is not coming, because right now they have to fend for themselves and they have to build their own support network, add new skills, and they can succeed in everything they want, as long as they are willing to put in the work. Its dismal the lack of support to student with special needs, meanwhile we spend millions on other frivolous things.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

The cornerstone of politics is the willingness to negotiate. Radicalism helps no one. We need to find a path forward in unity, respect and the greater good of our Nation.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

We have to reorder our money raising schemes. Trickle down economics are a blatant failure that only squeeze the middle class. Anyone that likes to make millions in profit can't pay less tax than the ordinary citizen. Its time to make some pay their fair share. No more loopholes for this or that. We ave enough revenue, we have to make sure its spent wisely, and knowing where the big business loopholes are, we have to chase that first.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

The House of Representatives need to create longer term investigative and accountability teams that are not subjet to the whims of the few, discoveries and evidence found should all be admissible in a court of law to determine criminal liability right away. Justice must be swift in order to be effective.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Tatiana Fernandez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Fernandez's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Let me the voice of reason for this district. I will put my excellent business experience and negotiation skills to deliver excellent constituent services to the excellent citizens of Florida. My past experience supporting the Seminole county Public schools and being liaison to many students with special needs helps me focus my efforts where they are needed most. Creating positions to newly graduated students have been my privilege and I now want to extend that to District 7.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Skilled trades training is the key to an improved economy. It must be a requisite for all high school graduates , and college graduates to be able to find a good job , or even crest their own company if they want to. We need to invest in self sustaining industries by Floridians and For Floridians.
Salaries must go up for all teachers, public servants and first line responders. We have enough wealth being created in Florida to sustain a higher quality of life for everyone.
Fiscal Responsibility is a matter of personal pride. We should focus heavily in bailing out the local businesses that create local jobs, reinforce the skilled trades and create the next generation of wealth for Floridians

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education and support of the small and medium enterprise. We should create the spaces that properly foster and protect the local business owner, and we should make it easier for the entrepreneurs to be successful. An educated workforce is vital for our future, and the existing resources have to be redeployed more effectively as we have to include all of our working population as soon as possible.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

As a little kid, Franklin Delano Roosevelt for being a dignified president.
Lately, Sonia Sotomayor for her moral fortitude, work ethic and accurate ruling acumen.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Clear Personal Finances are a must. Constituent Service office hours must be posted and time has to be allocated to walk his district., Combine efforts with local officials and results driven efforts with clear goals, with specific, measurable and proportional penalties for non delivery must be a part of every contract they are involved in.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Hard worker that is used to be in charge and make sure every deal made is for equitable, just and fair.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Preserve the public trust and serve all constituents equally.

What legacy would you like to leave?

An improved district with more trade schools, more manufacturing and a affordable housing for my constituents so they can all enjoy and raise their families there.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Unofficially, hair salon at 11 yrs old to be able to afford school uniforms.
Officially, Fleet Bank in Boston as a customer service representative and teller for 2 years.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Tue House of Representatives is the actual voice of the People. It’s mixture reflects the changing landscape and their fluctuating needs.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

It is beneficial, but not necessary. Sometimes being involved with the government for too many years creates a disconnect with the real world out there that has to struggle to pay their bills and feed their families and only depend on their skill set in the market place. It’s a humbling experience that everyone should face.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

It has become impossible to have a regular job with a median salary and be able to afford a family. Economic recovery of the Middle class is key to keep the American Dream alive.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Still under evaluation

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

N/A

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

It would be better for term too je four years as it eliminates the constant political fundraising and everyone has a chance to develop an agenda an a program for their constituents.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

10/12 years are the maximum time anyone should be in public office. We don’t have kings or kingdoms in this country and some people forget that.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I’m still processing the fact that many teachers can not afford their own home unless they have roommates and if anything happens, they have to live in their car. I have heard that more than once and it’s infuriating that they have to have a degree, certifications, continued education, parent meeting and unpaid after hour events and they have to struggle so much for so little pay.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Policy making is the art of serving ALL of your constituents. Either extreme of any policy is unsustainable and I think is the root of all of our current dilemmas. When both extremes fight, the silent, working middle class suffers the consequences. We have to learn to negotiate but also be firm on the Ideals of the greater good.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

Before raising any new revenue, we have to audit, monitor and recuperate any monies being misdirected, deviated or repurposed. There is a lot of money being allocated to the wrong items. Let’s tackle those first.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Tatiana Fernandez campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House Florida District 7	Lost primary	$16,624	$16,177
2022	U.S. House Florida District 7	Lost primary	$17,325	$14,616
Grand total			$33,949	$30,794
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

U.S. House Florida District 7

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 13, 2023

Florida's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Ashley Moody (R)

Representatives

District 1

Jimmy Patronis (R)

District 2

Neal Dunn (R)

District 3

Kat Cammack (R)

District 4

Aaron Bean (R)

District 5

John Rutherford (R)

District 6

Randy Fine (R)

District 7

Cory Mills (R)

District 8

Mike Haridopolos (R)

District 9

Darren Soto (D)

District 10

Maxwell Frost (D)

District 11

Daniel Webster (R)

District 12

Gus Bilirakis (R)

District 13

Anna Luna (R)

District 14

Kathy Castor (D)

District 15

Laurel Lee (R)

District 16

Vern Buchanan (R)

District 17

Greg Steube (R)

District 18

Scott Franklin (R)

District 19

Byron Donalds (R)

District 20

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D)

District 21

Brian Mast (R)

District 22

Lois Frankel (D)

District 23

Jared Moskowitz (D)

District 24

Frederica Wilson (D)

District 25

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D)

District 26

Mario Diaz-Balart (R)

District 27

Maria Elvira Salazar (R)

District 28

Carlos Gimenez (R)

Republican Party (22)

Democratic Party (8)

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