TALLAHASSY, Fla. (AP) — A former Democratic school board member who attracted attention for beating Mama’s future co-founder for Liberty has announced his 2026 bid for the US Senate in Florida.
Jennifer Jenkins made the headline when President Donald Trump released Tina Deskovic on the Brevard County Board of Education in 2020 in southeastern Florida County, where she was carrying nearly 20 points.
Jenkins is currently challenging Republican Sen. Ashley Moody. Ashley Moody faces a special election to hold her seat after Republican governor Ron DeSantis appointed her to fill an office vacant by Trump-stolen Marco Rubio.
“Ashley Moody doesn’t know what it’s like to struggle to pay for food, housing, healthcare and daycare, but I do,” Jenkins said in the campaign launch video.
“I fight for my family and for all my Florida families.
The speech pathologist turned political activist, and Jenkins became famous for his defense of public health attention and comprehensive education policies during the pandemic era in schools when conservative custody activists were actively expanding positive complaints about Covid-19 measures and guidance on systemic racism and gender identity in the classroom.
Jenkins attracted the public’s attention when she was targeted by protesters who were angry at the district’s policies that gathered outside her home. Jenkins said she faced a stream of threat, her property was destroyed and false reports of child abuse were filed against her.
Jenkins said she will work to counter what she described as “Maga’s militant,” reducing living expenses, protecting access to healthcare, and ensuring that all Floridians have the “freedom to thrive.”
