Get to Know Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll

BET.com takes a look at Carroll’s career.

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Meet Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll  - Already known as one of the country's leading Black female Republicans, Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll  is among the delegates representing her state at the Republican National Convention in Tampa. From her trailblazing appointment to lieutenant governor to her controversial comments, keep reading to learn more about the GOP leader.  – Britt Middleton (Photo: Shealah Craighead)

She Is an Immigrant  - Jennifer Sandra Johnson, 52, was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Aug. 27, 1959. She moved to the United States with her family when she was 8 years old and eventually graduated from Uniondale High School in Uniondale, N.Y., in 1977. She is married to her business partner, Nolan Carroll, and they have three children together. (Photo: Courtesy Carroll family)

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She Is an Immigrant  - Jennifer Sandra Johnson, 52, was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Aug. 27, 1959. She moved to the United States with her family when she was 8 years old and eventually graduated from Uniondale High School in Uniondale, N.Y., in 1977. She is married to her business partner, Nolan Carroll, and they have three children together. (Photo: Courtesy Carroll family)

Success Runs in the Family - Her son, Nolan Carroll Jr., is currently a cornerback for the Miami Dolphins football team. (Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

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Success Runs in the Family - Her son, Nolan Carroll Jr., is currently a cornerback for the Miami Dolphins football team. (Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

She's a Veteran - The politician is a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander with 20 years naval experience. She received numerous decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal awarded to officers for outstanding achievement. (Photo: Sun Sentinel/MCT /Landov)

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She's a Veteran - The politician is a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander with 20 years naval experience. She received numerous decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal awarded to officers for outstanding achievement. (Photo: Sun Sentinel/MCT /Landov)

Photo By Photo: Sun Sentinel/MCT /Landov

In the Big Leagues - Her political career includes serving in the Florida House of Representatives from 2003 until 2010. In 2010, Carroll was chosen as the running mate of then-gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott. She is the first African-American elected lieutenant governor in state history. (Photo: thegrio.com)

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In the Big Leagues - Her political career includes serving in the Florida House of Representatives from 2003 until 2010. In 2010, Carroll was chosen as the running mate of then-gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott. She is the first African-American elected lieutenant governor in state history. (Photo: thegrio.com)

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Slammed for Homophobic Comments - In July, Carroll came under fire by gay advocacy groups when a reporter asked if she could ever have a romantic relationship with a woman, to which she responded, "Black women who look like me don't engage in relationships like that." The controversy stemmed from accusations from Carroll's former employee that she witnessed the politician in a "compromising position" with her travel aide, Beatriz Ramos. (Photo: Tom Williams/Roll Call/GettyImages)

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Slammed for Homophobic Comments - In July, Carroll came under fire by gay advocacy groups when a reporter asked if she could ever have a romantic relationship with a woman, to which she responded, "Black women who look like me don't engage in relationships like that." The controversy stemmed from accusations from Carroll's former employee that she witnessed the politician in a "compromising position" with her travel aide, Beatriz Ramos. (Photo: Tom Williams/Roll Call/GettyImages)

Presidential Scholars Commission - President George W. Bush appointed Carroll to the Commission on Presidential Scholars in 2001. He later named her to the newly formed Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission. Since she was only allowed to hold one appointment, Carroll stepped down from the Scholars Commission in 2004. She served on the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission until 2007. (Photo: miamiherald.com)

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Presidential Scholars Commission - President George W. Bush appointed Carroll to the Commission on Presidential Scholars in 2001. He later named her to the newly formed Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission. Since she was only allowed to hold one appointment, Carroll stepped down from the Scholars Commission in 2004. She served on the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission until 2007. (Photo: miamiherald.com)

Jennifer Carroll - Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll is the first African-American woman to be elected to the state's legislature.(Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)

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Global Reach - In November of 2011, Carroll led a 39-person delegation of local business leaders to South Africa. The mission generated $40 million in new trade between Florida and South Africa. (Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)

Bad Company - Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, once a rising star in the Republican Party, abruptly resigned in March after being interviewed by state law enforcement officers about work a consulting firm she owned did for a nonprofit organization under investigation.   (Photo: Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

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Great Explorations - As chair of Space Florida, Carroll has been credited for creating thousands of new private sector space and aerospace-related jobs in the state. During her first year in office as lieutenant governor, the state won a 10-year contract to manage the International Space Station National Laboratory, which is estimated to bring the state $15 million per year for life science research and development. (Photo: Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)