Carlos Prío Odio is a political strategist and researcher. He works to help Latino voters take part in American politics. He is best known as the co-founder of EquisLabs, a group that studies Latino voters. He is also the husband of MSNBC anchor Alicia Menendez. But he has built a strong career on his own. He has worked on presidential campaigns, in the White House, and with nonprofit groups.
Carlos Prío Odio’s Early Life, Family, and Education
He was born and grew up in Miami, Florida. His family has deep political roots. His mother is María Antonetta Prío Tarrero. His father is César Humberto Odio del Toro. His father worked as the city manager of Miami for many years.
On his mother’s side, his grandfather is Carlos Prío Socarrás. He was the president of Cuba from 1948 until 1952. This family history has always been part of his identity.
For college, he went to American University in Washington, D.C. Living in the capital helped him become interested in politics and public service.
Carlos Prío Odio’s Career and Professional Work
He started his career in political organizing. He worked as a communications manager at a media company from 2006 to 2007.
His big break came in 2008. He worked as the Deputy Latino Vote Director for the Obama presidential campaign. In this job, he helped reach out to Hispanic voters across the country. His work helped Barack Obama win the election.
After the election, he joined the Obama administration. He worked at the White House Office of Political Affairs from 2009 to 2011. He helped connect the White House with Latino leaders and advised on political issues in the southern and western states.
In 2011, he became the Director of Special Projects at a nonprofit that trained activists. He also served on a Democratic Party committee in 2012.
From 2013 to 2018, he was the Executive Director of the Florida Alliance. This group funded campaigns for civic participation and political reform. He worked with labor unions and donors to build political power for progressive causes.
Carlos Prío Odio’s Role at EquisLabs
In 2019, he co-founded EquisLabs with Stephanie Valencia. The group studies and works to mobilize Latino voters in the United States.
At Equis, he oversees research and strategy. The group does polls and studies to better understand Latino voters. They work on big projects related to democracy, media, culture, and leadership. Their goal is to help Latino voters reach their full civic potential.
The name “Equis” comes from how the letter “X” is said in Spanish. The group wants to build a better understanding of Latinos and find new ways to reach them. Today, he works as the senior vice president of research at Equis.
Carlos Prío Odio and Alicia Menendez’s Relationship
They first met in December 2008, when she was working on an article about Hispanic voters. She wanted to interview him. But he was waiting for a call about a job in the Obama administration. He did not want to say anything that could hurt his chances, so he refused to answer most of her questions. She was upset and did not talk to him after that.
They kept running into each other in political circles but did not really connect. Their real meeting happened in September 2009 at a museum event. Even though she was dating someone else, they felt a strong connection right away.
They became friends, and that friendship grew into a romance. He proposed in September 2013. They got married on February 15, 2015, in Coral Gables, Florida.
Today, they live in Miami, Florida. They are seen as a powerful couple in politics and media.
Carlos Prío Odio’s Family and Children
Carlos Prío Odio and Alicia Menendez have two daughters. Their first child, Evangelina, was born on December 15, 2016. Their second daughter, Ofelia, was born on August 20, 2019.
The family has lived in Miami and has also spent time in New Jersey. They share some photos of their family trips on social media, but they keep their home life mostly private.
Is Carlos Prío Odio Related to Carlos Prío Socarrás?
Yes. He is the grandson of Carlos Prío Socarrás. He is his maternal grandfather.
Carlos Prío Socarrás was the president of Cuba from 1948 until 1952. A military coup led by Fulgencio Batista overthrew him. He was born in 1903 and studied law at the University of Havana. He became politically active as a young man. After he was overthrown, he went into exile and moved to Miami. He lived there until he passed away in 1977.
Some people have mistakenly called Prío Socarrás his father, but the correct relation is that he is his grandfather on his mother’s side.
Conclusion
He has built a strong career in politics and civic engagement. He started with the Obama campaign and later co-founded Equis to help Latino voters. He comes from a famous political family, as the grandson of a Cuban president. But he has made his own name as a researcher and strategist. Along with his wife, Alicia Menendez, and their two daughters, he continues to make a difference in American politics while living a grounded family life in Miami.
FAQs
Who is Carlos Prío Odio?
He is a political strategist and the co-founder of EquisLabs. He is also the husband of MSNBC anchor Alicia Menendez.
What does Carlos Prío Odio do for a living?
He works as a donor advisor and the senior vice president of research at Equis. He studies Latino voters and works to increase their participation in politics.
Is Carlos Prío Odio related to Carlos Prío Socarrás?
Yes. Carlos Prío Socarrás, the former president of Cuba, is his maternal grandfather.
Who is Carlos Prío Odio married to?
He is married to Alicia Menendez, who is an anchor on MSNBC. They got married in 2015.
Does Carlos Prío Odio have children?
Yes. He has two daughters named Evangelina and Ofelia.
Where is Carlos Prío Odio from?
He was born and raised in Miami, Florida.
