District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime has made history for the Caribbean community, following his recent appointment to Florida's Electoral College for the upcoming November presidential elections. Monestime is the first Haitian-American to serve in this capacity.

Monestime, who is also the first Haitian-born American on the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners, will be among the 29 members chosen for the state's Electoral College.
The nomination, says Commissioner Monestime, is "another humbling experience."

"It's with great pleasure that I represent not just the state, but the entire Caribbean-American community," said Monestime, who also expressed his gratitude to the outpouring of congratulations he had received from the Caribbean-American community for the nomination.

Calling the nomination a "moment of pride for all of us," the commissioner also noted that the nomination demonstrates "a whole lot more appreciation of the diversity of our state, making sure that a Caribbean-American is appointed and represented."

As an elector, Commissioner Monestime also pledges to honor the popular vote of Florida's electorate, noting that although the college is a formality, it is "important to all of us to endeavor to keep the spirit of those who created this great country and its democratic process."

The 2012 presidential elections are set for Tuesday, November 6. Florida's primary elections will decide the various candidates representing their respective parties on August 14.