Carlos "Johnny" Méndez Núñez (born June 30, 1960) is a politician from

Fajardo, Puerto Rico Fajardo () is a town and a municipality part of the San Juan-Caguas-Fajardo Combined Statistical Area in Puerto Rico. Fajardo is the hub of much of the recreational boating in Puerto Rico and a popular launching port to Culebra, Vieques, and ...

. He represents District 36 in the

Puerto Rico House of Representatives The House of Representatives of Puerto Rico () is the lower house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the bicameral territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The House, together with the Senate, control the legislative branch of the go ...

Elecciones Generales 2008: Representante Distrito 36
on CEEPUR and assumed the role of Majority Leader until January 2013 upon the resignation of

Rolando Crespo Rolando Crespo Arroyo (born November 9, 1974) is a former Representative of Puerto Rico and former Majority Leader of the New Progressive Party within the Puerto Rico House of Representatives who resigned in February 2011 after testing positive fo ...

as a member of the House in February, 2011.Confirman a Johnny Méndez como portavoz de la Cámara
on '' Primera Hora'' (February 26, 2011) Méndez is a supporter of statehood for

Puerto Rico ; abbreviated PR), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a Government of Puerto Rico, self-governing Caribbean Geography of Puerto Rico, archipelago and island organized as an Territories of the United States, unincorporated territo ...

and is affiliated with the New Progressive Party (PNP). Méndez, who studied law and resides in

, simultaneously chairs the Government Committee of the House. He is a member of the

National Conference of State Legislatures The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), established in 1975, is a "nonpartisan public officials' association composed of sitting state legislators" from the states, territories and commonwealths of the United States. Background ...

and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators.

Early life and education

Carlos "Johnny" Méndez Nuñez was born and raised in

Fajardo Fajardo () is a Fajardo barrio-pueblo, town and a Municipalities of Puerto Rico, municipality part of the San Juan–Caguas–Guaynabo metropolitan area, San Juan-Caguas-Fajardo Combined Statistical Area in Puerto Rico. Fajardo is the hub of mu ...

. In 1978 he graduated with honors from the Santiago Veve Calzada High School. After graduating, Méndez was admitted to the

University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras A university () is an institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly means "community of teachers and scholars". Univ ...

where he completed a

Bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years ...

with a major in Labor Relations and a minor in Business Administration. He graduated in 1982, and continued studies in Law at the

Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law The Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Faculty of Law () is the school of law of the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, a private co-educational corporation accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (Commissi ...

. He received his

Juris doctor A Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence, or Doctor of Law (JD) is a graduate-entry professional degree that primarily prepares individuals to practice law. In the United States and the Philippines, it is the only qualifying law degree. Other j ...

in 1986.

Public service

Méndez began working in 1986 for the Municipality of

San Juan San Juan, Spanish for Saint John (disambiguation), Saint John, most commonly refers to: * San Juan, Puerto Rico * San Juan, Argentina * San Juan, Metro Manila, a highly urbanized city in the Philippines San Juan may also refer to: Places Arge ...

, specifically for the Training and Employment Program, where he was in charge of writing service contracts, as well as the supervision of them. In 1987, he went to work for the Legal Division of the Medical Services Administration of Puerto Rico. In 1989, Méndez was recruited by his sister's iana Méndezhusband, the Mayor of

, Aníbal Meléndez Rivera, to work as Director of the Office of Federal Affairs. After that, he occupied several positions within the City Administration. Served as the Executive director of the Northeast Consortium (Consorcio Del Noreste) from 1997 to 2004.

Political career

Méndez was first elected to the

House of Representatives of Puerto Rico The House of Representatives of Puerto Rico () is the lower house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the bicameral territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The House, together with the Senate, control the legislative branch of the go ...

at the 2004 general election. During his first term, he served as President of the Commission of Employment and Labor Relations. He also served as Vicepresident of the Commissions of Law, Municipal Affairs, and others. After being reelected in

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

, Méndez was appointed as President of the Government Commission. On February 25, 2011, he was elected by his colleagues as Majority Leader, filling the vacancy left by

. Méndez was reelected for a third term at the 2012 general election. Méndez was reelected for a fourth term at the 2016 general election and served as the 31st

Speaker of the House The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer, or the chair. The title was first used in 1377 in England. Usage The title was first recorded in 1377 to describe the role of Thomas de Hung ...

. In 2020 he was elected to a fifth term in the House, although his party lost their majority and he relinquished the Speakership. He currently serves as Minority Leader of the House.

References

External links

Johnny Méndez Official biography
, - , - , - , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Mendez, Carlos Johnny 1960 births 21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico Interamerican University of Puerto Rico alumni Living people New Progressive Party members of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) politicians People from Fajardo, Puerto Rico Republican Party (Puerto Rico) politicians Speakers of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico University of Puerto Rico alumni