Ranch alum tackles capital

MANATEE COUNTY — Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Matt Diaz still hates what he calls the “nasty side of politics,” — the side he saw two weeks ago while speaking before the state Senate Budget Committee.

But the 22-year-old also knows his passion for politics — and moving the country forward — are just what is needed to cure it.

Leading a team of students from the University of South Florida, Diaz, the school’s student body president, headed to Tallahassee Feb. 15, to speak before the budget committee against budget cuts proposed for the school — about $103 million in total, the university states.

“We wanted to put a face to the issue,” Diaz said, noting the president of the university had mentioned the idea on Feb. 14. “In less than 24 hours, we had vans chartered, food set up (and other details handled). It was wild. It was a tough two days.”

But Diaz and his fellow students from USF persevered, pleading their case to legislators both from the podium and at one-on-one meetings with representatives.

Diaz’s passionate speech was met with criticism from 82-year-old Evelyn Lynn, R-Daytona Beach, who said students were ill-prepared and had offered incorrect information to the committee.

Diaz held his tongue at the meeting but now shrugs thinking back. His numbers came straight from USF’s top officials, he said.

“I didn’t want to be disrespectful,” he said. “I was trying to bring up the facts. I’m confident our numbers aren’t wrong.”

The incident could have left a bitter taste in Diaz’s mouth, but he said he is eager for the next challenge. In fact, he plans to head back to Tallahassee to lobby on behalf of his school at least four more times in the next two months.

“In the face of adversity, I stood up and did my job to advocate for the students and keep my university safe,” Diaz said, noting he’s spoken before the Legislature other times, as well. “I’ve learned so much. It’s solidified my passion for politics.

“Regardless of what others think, you have to stand up for what you believe in and what you think is right — no matter the odds,” he said.

Diaz’s passion for politics — and political ambitions — may stem as far back as first and second grade, when his classes studied the American presidents.

“I had this infatuation with the presidency itself,” Diaz said, grinning. “I’ve had a passion for government and politics since.

“I just love the topic,” he said. “I wanted to study it more.”

Although Diaz admitted he still has dreams of becoming president, he said he now recognizes his service to country may take on other forms throughout his life.

“The more I grow older, I learn it takes a perfect storm for something like (becoming president) to happen,” Diaz said. “However, I think public service is something I definitely want to (do).”

Diaz said he’s not yet sure of what his future in politics will hold, but currently he’s interested in foreign affairs. He said he also hopes to become fluent in Spanish, as he was as a child.

After graduating in May, he plans to take off one year from school to study and take an internship before starting law school.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].