José Oliva, best known as CEO of Oliva Cigar Company, has been designated the Speaker of the House for the State of Florida for 2019-2020. This means if Oliva’s party (Republican) holds the majority in the Florida House of Representatives in the 2018 elections, he will become Speaker of the House beginning in 2019.

Oliva was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives back in 2011 in a special election. Oliva’s designation as Speaker is not a surprise as for several years he has been in the line of succession (something that is also designated in advance) for the job.

Last year, the Oliva family sold Oliva Cigar Company to J. Cortès, a company based in Belgium. Following the sale, Oliva has remained as the Oliva brand’s CEO, but has continued to focus on his burgeoning political career.

Photo Credit: Supplied by Cigar Rights of America