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D Democratic · U.S. House 8, Florida · Nov 3, 2026

Jennifer
Jenkins

Democrat Jennifer Jenkins, former Brevard County school board member, challenges incumbent Rep. Mike Haridopolos in Florida's 8th Congressional District in 2026.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
16
positions
10
endorsements
6
jenkinsforfl.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Mike Haridopolos R Compare race →

Background

Jennifer Jenkins is a Democrat running for U.S. Representative in Florida's 8th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. She served on the Brevard County School Board, District 3, from 2020 to 2024, and was born and raised in Staten Island, New York, before relocating to Brevard County, Florida, where she now lives in Satellite Beach. 16223

Before entering politics, Jenkins worked as a speech-language pathologist for Brevard Public Schools from 2014 to 2020. She holds a master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Florida (2014), a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Florida Atlantic University (2009), and an associate degree from Brevard Community College (2007). 23

Jenkins founded Educated We Stand in 2024 and describes herself as an educator. She is running as the Democratic challenger against incumbent Republican Mike Haridopolos, who currently holds the FL-8 seat. 3141823/)

Her campaign has highlighted cost-of-living concerns and Florida family economic issues. The Florida Division of Elections lists her as a qualified candidate for U.S. Representative, District 8. 915

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 8, Florida
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Founder, Educated We Stand
Website
jenkinsforfl.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 11
    news
    Florida Today recap highlights Jenkins-Haridopolos differences on insurance and health care

    Florida Today's opinion editor recapped the October 8 forum, detailing the candidates' contrasting positions on insurance, health care, immigration, the economy, space, and the Indian River Lagoon.

    Haridopolos, Jenkins clash over insurance, health care · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 8
    debate
    Jenkins and Haridopolos spar at Florida Today forum; PAC salary becomes on-stage issue

    At a Florida Today online forum, Jenkins and Haridopolos addressed affordability, insurance, space, border security, and the Indian River Lagoon. Jenkins proposed a federal catastrophe back-up program to stabilize insurers. On immigration, she called for a secure border with due process and an earned pathway to legal status. Haridopolos raised her PAC salary payments; Jenkins replied 'Yes, I took a salary,' adding 'I make $140 a day.' Florida Today reported the payments appeared legal and no FEC complaint had been filed.

    Haridopolos and Jenkins face off in debate · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 6
    debate
    WESH debate coverage: Jenkins says special-education funding would be her first priority if elected

    WESH reported that Jenkins said her first priority if elected would be special-education funding, including cosponsoring full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The economy, health care, and family services were also described as central to her campaign.

    Haridopolos, Jenkins outline priorities in 8th Congressional ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 26
    news
    Race analysis puts Jenkins fundraising at $725,731 raised, $108,111 cash on hand through July 29

    A race analysis citing FEC reports through July 29 showed Jenkins had raised $725,731 since January 1, 2025, with $108,111 cash on hand, compared to Haridopolos's approximately $1.82 million raised and $1.20 million on hand.

    What It Would Take for Jennifer Jenkins to Win FL-08 in 2026 · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 24
    news
    Jenkins criticizes Haridopolos on X over Iran war-powers vote

    Jenkins posted on X criticizing Mike Haridopolos for voting against the removal of U.S. forces from Iran, noting his Republican Senate colleagues agreed with the position.

    Jennifer Jenkins · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 21
    endorsement
    Florida Democratic Party names Jenkins race a "Race to Watch" for 2026

    The Florida Democratic Party included Jennifer Jenkins's FL-08 congressional race in a list of contests it said presented opportunities for Democrats. This is a party designation, not an independent assessment of competitiveness.

    Florida Democratic Party Names Additional "Races to ... · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Jul 17
    poll
    Poll shows Haridopolos leading Jenkins 44%–35% in FL-08

    A Public Policy Polling survey of 633 likely voters conducted July 17–18 showed Republican incumbent Mike Haridopolos at 44% and Democrat Jennifer Jenkins at 35%, a 9-point gap. A late-July Inquire LLC poll also showed Haridopolos leading 51%–42%. These are older snapshots, not October polling.

    Florida 8 House race 2026: polls, odds and rating | Frothier · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Florida Education Association organization
    Listed as endorsing Jenkins by Smarter.Vote; no endorsement date given. smarter.vote
  • National Women's Political Caucus organization
    Includes Jennifer Jenkins, FL-08 on its 2026 endorsed-candidates list; no date specified. nwpc.org
  • Jane Fonda Climate PAC (JanePAC) organization
    Listed Jenkins as its 2026 endorsed candidate for U.S. House, FL-08; no date specified. janepac.com
  • Feminist Majority PAC organization
    Lists Jenkins among its 2026 House endorsed candidates; no date specified. feministmajoritypac.org
  • Angie Gallo (Brevard County School Board member) official
    Gallo stated: "Jennifer will bring that same tenacious support to Congress, and I am excited to endorse her campaign." x.com · Aug 11, 2026
  • Florida AFL-CIO union
    Endorsed Jenkins for Congressional District 8 following the federation's 2026 COPE endorsing convention. flaflcio.org · Jun 16, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$726K
Spent
$618K
Cash on hand
$108K

As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL06399(opens in a new tab)

Sources 16

  1. [1] Endorsements - Jane Fonda Climate PAC(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  2. [2] Florida 8 House race 2026: polls, odds and rating | Frothier(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  3. [3] Haridopolos, Jenkins clash over insurance, health care(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  4. [4] 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  5. [5] Haridopolos and Jenkins face off in debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  6. [6] smarter.vote · races · fl-house-08-2026Jennifer Jenkins — 2026 Florida's 8th Congressional District...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  7. [7] Jennifer Jenkins(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  8. [8] Haridopolos, Jenkins outline priorities in 8th Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  9. [9] Florida families can't afford Washington's version of the economy(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  10. [10] Florida families can't afford Washington's version of the economy(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  11. [11] What It Would Take for Jennifer Jenkins to Win FL-08 in 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  12. [12] Florida Democratic Party Names Additional "Races to ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  13. [13] Endorsed Candidates - National Women's Political Caucus(opens in a new tab) Aug 25, 2026
  14. [14] Jennifer Jenkins(opens in a new tab) Aug 11, 2026
  15. [15] Florida AFL-CIO Releases First Slate of Candidate ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 16, 2026
  16. [16] Brevard Public Schools will arm school staff with guns in surprise ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 11, 2024
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