Jennifer Jenkins Challenges Ashley Moody for Florida Senate Seat in 2026
Former school board member Jennifer Jenkins is challenging Republican Ashley Moody for a U.S. Senate seat in Florida's 2026 election, advocating for public health and inclusive education policies.
Overview
- Former school board member Jennifer Jenkins is challenging Republican Ashley Moody for a U.S. Senate seat in Florida, with the election scheduled for 2026.
- Jenkins previously defeated Tina Descovich by 10 percentage points in her 2020 school board election before announcing her Senate bid.
- She advocates for pandemic-era public health measures and inclusive education policies, often clashing with state officials and conservative lawmakers on these issues.
- Jenkins founded Educated We Stand to combat conservative influence on state school boards, a key part of her political activism.
- Her campaign emerges amidst a challenging landscape for Florida Democrats, who face a shrinking electorate and fractured messaging, with national party support waning.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by extensively detailing Jennifer Jenkins' political rise, emphasizing her past struggles against "aggressive complaints" from conservative activists, and highlighting her progressive policy stances. This narrative positions her as a resilient, relatable champion for Floridians, while providing minimal background or platform details for her opponent, Ashley Moody.
"Jenkins said she will counter what she described as “MAGA extremists,” working to lower the cost of living, protect access to health care and ensure every Floridian has the “freedom to thrive.”"
Associated Press"Jenkins' political rise in the state has largely been based on her advocacy for public schools and high-profile fights with Moms for Liberty, including creating her own political organization after having served one year as a school board member."
NBC NewsArticles (3)
FAQ
Jennifer Jenkins advocates for pandemic-era public health measures and inclusive education policies. She emphasizes fighting for working families and standing against conservative influences on state school boards.
Ashley Moody is the appointed Republican U.S. Senator from Florida, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis. She is considered aligned with Trump, DeSantis, and conservative billionaire interests.
Jenkins faces the challenge of running in a state rated 'solid red' by the Cook Political Report, with a shrinking Democratic electorate and fractured messaging in the party. National Democratic support in Florida is also waning.
Jenkins’ advocacy began as a public school educator frustrated with low pay and influenced by her experience facing threats and harassment for supporting mask mandates and LGBTQ students during the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences inspired her to found Educated We Stand to combat conservative influence on school boards.
Jenkins criticizes Moody as a 'rubber stamp' for Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, lacking connection with working-class struggles. She highlights Moody’s support for ending vaccine mandates in schools and suggests many Floridians are unaware of Moody's political stances.
History
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