NewsFlorida PoliticsMay 5, 2026Florida
Jennifer Jenkins Shifts Congressional Race to Challenge Mike Haridopolos After Florida Redistricting
Democrat Jennifer Jenkins has changed her congressional race strategy, abandoning a challenge against Randy Fine to instead run against Republican Mike Haridopolos in Florida's newly redrawn 8th Congressional District. The new map, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, makes the district more competitive and encompasses the Space Coast and parts of the Orlando area.
Read the full story at Florida PoliticsWhy It Matters
This shift in a congressional race following directly impacts which candidates will represent Florida's Space Coast and UCF area in Congress and could alter the political balance of the district.
Key Facts
- Jennifer Jenkins, a Democrat, is shifting her congressional race to challenge incumbent Republican Mike Haridopolos in Florida's 8th Congressional District.
- The change follows Governor Ron DeSantis signing a new congressional map that reshapes District 8 to be more competitive.
- Under the new map, Donald Trump received 57.3% of the vote in District 8, compared to 60.7% under the previous boundaries.
- Jenkins has previously served on the Brevard County School Board and has raised over $565,000 for her federal campaigns this cycle.
- Mike Haridopolos has raised $1.25 million for his re-election campaign and has $844,000 cash on hand.
Who's Mentioned
organizationWireddateFebruaryother60.7%dollar_amount$844,000date2024locationSpace CoastorganizationWWSB ABC 7locationOrange CountyorganizationMoms for LibertypersonRandy Finedatethis yearorganizationRepublican Party of Floridadollar_amount$251,000personDonald TrumporganizationThe News-PresspersonTina DescovichorganizationUniversity of Central FloridalocationDistrict 8date2020organizationWSRQ Sarasotaother29organizationThe AdvocatepersonMike Haridopolosother57.3%dollar_amount$565,000personJacob OglespersonRon DeSantislocationBrevard Countydollar_amount$1.25 millionlocationFloridaother62.25%organizationSRQ MagazinepersonEvan PowerpersonJennifer JenkinsorganizationThe Daily Commercial