St. Pete-based political operative Cesar Fernandez now headed to Uber

St. Petersburg-based political strategist Cesar Fernandez announced today that he will soon be working for Uber in their public policy and communications division in Miami.

“Very excited to announce a new chapter in my life today: I have joined the Public Policy team at Uber!” the 25-year-old Fernandez wrote on his Facebook page. “I am looking forward to working with a truly innovative and fast-growing company that is changing the way people move around cities across the world.”

Fernandez is a University of Florida graduate who has had a meteoric rise in Florida politics, which prompted Creative Loafing to name him “Best Political Wunderkind” last fall. He began his political career working as a field organizer for Democratic congressional candidate Emanuel Pleitez in East Los Angeles back in 2009. He then went on to work as an aide to South Florida Democratic state Senator Maria Sachs in 2011, and was the campaign manager for Democrat Jeff Clemens in his successful run for state Senate in 2012.

But he’s probably best known as being the campaign manager for Rick Kriseman in his successful bid for mayor in 2013 in St. Petersburg. Kriseman told this reporter during the campaign that Clemens had told him that he needed to hire Fernandez. Kriseman of course, ultimately blew away Bill Foster in the mayoral contest that November.

Fernandez then moved on to work on Charlie Crist’s campaign for governor last year.

“We’re excited to have Cesar joining Uber’s policy and communications team, whose ranks are comprised of a growing group of political alumni from a variety of backgrounds including campaigns, labor, advocacy and government,” said Uber spokesperson Natalia Montalvo.

Uber began offering its ride-sharing service last spring, shortly after it broke into the Tampa Bay area market. Questions regarding its insurance and background check policies continue to abound in both Miami-Dade and Hillsborough Counties, and the issue will undoubtedly be discussed in the Florida Legislature when it begins its regular session in March.