Jennifer Jenkins, a Democrat, has officially announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives seat in Florida’s 8th Congressional District, which includes portions of Brevard County. The district spans from the central Florida coast to the Kennedy Space Center, covering cities like Titusville, Cocoa, and Palm Bay. Jenkins made the announcement via social media and a press release on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Jenkins, a former county commissioner for Brevard County’s 4th District, previously served on the board from 2016 to 2022. Her decision to run comes as the 8th District faces a competitive race in the 2024 elections, with no declared Republican opponent as of yet. The district has leaned Democratic in recent years, but national trends and local issues could shift the balance.
The 8th Congressional District includes 11 cities and unincorporated areas, with a population of over 700,000 residents according to the 2020 census. Key issues in the district include space industry growth, healthcare access, and education funding. Jenkins has not yet outlined specific policy priorities for her campaign.
Jenkins’ announcement adds her name to a growing list of candidates vying for the seat, which has been held by Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart since 2013. Diaz-Balart is not seeking re-election, creating an open race. Jenkins’ campaign will focus on voter outreach in the coming weeks, with a primary election scheduled for August 20, 2024.