ANA CRUZ

MANAGING PARTNER, BALLARD PARTNERS – TAMPA BAY OFFICE, TAMPA

Cruz is a veteran political operative who ran numerous successful judicial, local and state legislative races and served as executive director of the Florida Democratic Party. She joined the Republican-led Ballard Partners a decade ago, running its Tampa Bay office. She also is a partner in the firm's Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., offices. Already one of Florida's most influential lobbying firms, Ballard has expanded its Washington presence significantly and has offices in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Turkey and Israel. Cruz was Hillary Clinton's Florida campaign spokesperson in 2008 and 2016 and worked in the Florida House and U.S. Senate. The daughter of former state Sen. Janet Cruz, she'll call herself Tampa's first lady until spring 2027, when the term of her partners, Mayor Jane Castor, ends.