Carlos Beruff

Here is a profile of Carlos Beruff — his background, career, political involvement, and public image.

Carlos Beruff – Life, Career, and Public Profile

Explore the life of Carlos Miguel Beruff (born January 1, 1958) — an American real estate developer, political figure in Florida, and former Senate candidate. Learn about his business roots, public roles, controversies, and influence.

Introduction

Carlos Miguel Beruff (born January 1, 1958) is an American real estate developer, Republican political donor, and public figure in Florida.

Beruff is best known for founding and leading Medallion Home, operating across Florida’s Gulf Coast, and for his involvement in public boards and a 2016 bid for the U.S. Senate.

While he has never held a major elected office, his public service appointments and political activity have made him a controversial and visible name in Florida politics.

Early Life & Education

• He was born on January 1, 1958, in Miami, Florida, to parents who were Cuban immigrants.

• His parents were Sylvia Vilarello and Marco Tulio Beruff.

• Beruff attended boarding school in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida during his youth.

• For higher education, he attended Stetson University and later the University of South Florida.

Business Career

• In 1984, Beruff founded Medallion Home, a home-building and real estate firm operating in Manatee, Sarasota, and surrounding Gulf Coast areas of Florida.

• As CEO of Medallion Home Gulf Coast LC, he oversaw construction of over 2,000 homes and development of numerous properties over his more than 35-year career.

• He is also a state-certified building contractor, meaning he has direct oversight and responsibility within Florida’s regulatory framework for home building.

• Over time, he has had interests or roles in many affiliated companies, real estate ventures, and development-related entities.

Public Service & Political Involvement

Appointed Roles & Board Service

Though he never held major elected office, Beruff has served in a number of public and quasi-public positions:

• In 2009, Florida Governor Charlie Crist appointed him to three positions:
  • Sarasota-Bradenton Airport Authority
  • Southwest Florida Water Management District board
  • Board of the State College of Florida

• Later, Governor Rick Scott reappointed him to these roles as well.

• He also served as a commissioner on the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority.

• In March 2017, Gov. Rick Scott named Beruff as Chair of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) — a body convened every 20 years to propose amendments to the state constitution.

• As CRC Chair, he oversaw proposals related to coastal protections (e.g. bans on offshore drilling), government structure, lobbying, and rights of crime victims, among others.

2016 U.S. Senate Campaign

• In 2016, Beruff ran in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Florida, challenging incumbent Marco Rubio.

• During the campaign, he proposed temporarily halting immigration from Middle Eastern countries.

• He also drew controversy for a public comment referring to President Barack Obama as “an animal.” That remark drew significant criticism; Beruff declined to apologize.

• In the Republican primary held on August 30, 2016, Beruff received about 18.49% of the vote (≈ 264,427 votes), losing to Rubio.

Public Image & Controversies

Beruff has attracted both support and criticism. Some points of note:

• In 2015, he resigned from the Southwest Florida Water Management board after he voted to approve the destruction of wetlands for a development owned by a friend. An administrative judge had recommended denying the permit.

• Some of his statements in the 2016 Senate campaign were fact-checked and rated “barely true” or “false” on PolitiFact.

• His blending of business and public roles raised questions about conflicts of interest, particularly in land development, environmental regulation, and regulation of infrastructure projects. Critics have pointed to his role approving land use decisions while also being a developer.

• His campaign style was often combative and provocative, leveraging bold statements to pour media attention on himself.

Legacy & Influence

Though Carlos Beruff never won a major election, his trajectory has had influence in Florida’s political and development ecosystems:

1. Bridging business & governance
   His career illustrates how business leaders in real estate and construction can move into public-appointed roles, influencing infrastructure, regulation, and local governance.

2. CRC & state constitutional impact
   As Chair of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, he had a significant role in shaping proposals that could affect state governance, environmental policy, and public priorities over the next generation.

3. Political disruption
   His 2016 Senate challenge to an incumbent in a high-stakes primary showed how outsider candidates with business backgrounds seek to reframe party dynamics—even if not victorious.

4. Controversy as part of brand
   Beruff’s willingness to make controversial statements and stand in conflict zones (e.g. wetlands vote) contributes to a public persona that blurs business, politics, and provocation.

5. Role model for local political ambition
   For other Florida business leaders, Beruff is an example (for better or worse) of leveraging local standing and public board roles into political campaigns.

Notable Statements & Positions

While less known for aphoristic quotes, a few positions and remarks stand out:

• His 2016 campaign proposed temporarily halting immigration from Middle Eastern countries as a security measure.

• His comment about President Obama being “an animal” became one of the more widely reported controversial remarks in that campaign.

• In public forums, he often frames his business credentials as a justification for political office, arguing that developers “know how to get things done” more efficiently than career politicians.

Lessons from Carlos Beruff’s Journey

1. The power and risk of political ambition from business
   Business success can open doors to political influence, but political scrutiny and opposition can also challenge one’s reputation.

2. Public scrutiny is magnified when interests overlap
   When a developer votes on land, permits, or environmental regulations, the optics of self-interest are hard to avoid.

3. Controversy can amplify name recognition
   Bold statements, even if criticized, can raise visibility—though they can also backfire.

4. The limits of outsider campaigns
   Challenging incumbents requires deep grassroots networks, message discipline, and resources beyond business credentials.

5. Appointed power has consequences
   Even without elected office, board seats, commissions, and regulatory roles can shape policy and governance — often with less public accountability.

Conclusion

Carlos Beruff is an illustrative example of a modern developer-politico: a real estate entrepreneur who used public appointments and political campaigns to seek influence in Florida’s governance. While he has not achieved high elective office, his role in constitutional revision, local infrastructure boards, and his controversial 2016 Senate campaign ensure that he remains a notable figure in Florida political history.