Democrat Jennifer Jenkins Launches 2026 Florida Senate Campaign Against Republican Ashley Moody

Jennifer Jenkins, a former Brevard County school board member and speech pathologist, has launched her campaign for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Florida, currently held by Republican Ashley Moody. Jenkins, who previously won a notable upset in a conservative county, positions herself as a fighter for working families, emphasizing issues like the affordability crisis and public education. She criticizes Moody as a career politician who is out of touch with everyday struggles and highlights her own experience working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Jenkins faces a challenging environment in a state with a significant Republican voter registration advantage and strong financial backing for Moody, endorsed by President Donald Trump. Despite these obstacles, Jenkins rejects the notion that Florida is unwinnable for Democrats and seeks to energize the base, appeal to independents, and attract disaffected Republicans. Her campaign underscores a broader Democratic effort to regain influence in a state that has trended increasingly Republican in recent years.