Clay County small business owner Jennifer Bradley this week kicked off her campaign to succeed her husband, Rob Brantley, for the Senate District 5 seat with the support of Senate Leaders Wilton Simpson, Kathleen Passidomo and Travis Hutson. Bradley also enters the race with strong support from Clay County State Representative Travis Cummings, as was reported Wednesday.

“I’ve had the unique opportunity to travel the 11 counties of Senate District 5 from Levy to Clay for many years now and I understand the challenges and opportunities facing the rural, coastal and growth areas in this historically diverse part of our state,” said Bradley.

“Jennifer’s ability to make a difference in her community will serve as a strong foundation for her work in Tallahassee on behalf of North Florida,” said Simpson, who will serve as Senate President in 2021 and 2022. “From her contributions to the success of St. Vincent’s Medical Center to her life-changing work at PACE Center for Girls, Jennifer has a proven record of being a voice for those who need it most.”

A strong advocate for North Florida’s children, Jennifer has volunteered her time with St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Young Life and Haven Hospice Center. In 2014, Jennifer helped establish the Clay County PACE Center for Girls as Chair of the first Board of Directors. She worked to introduce PACE to the community, raise awareness for the needs of deserving girls and advocate for the Center. Today, the Clay County PACE Center for Girls operates with a wait list and has some of the best metrics for success in the state.

“As a mother and a small business owner, Jennifer is uniquely positioned to fight on behalf of not just the people of Senate District 5, but for all Floridians,” said Passidomo. “Her proven leadership in the community and entrepreneurial spirit would be welcomed assets in the Florida Senate, and I am proud to stand with her.”

The mother of three graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology in 1991 and earned a Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law in 1995.

“North Florida couldn’t ask for a better advocate in Tallahassee than Jennifer Bradley,” Hutson said. “As the Florida Legislature continues to address the challenges facing our coastal, rural and high growth areas, Jennifer will bring with her the unique perspective of this incredibly diverse district.”

Bradley is running to succeed her husband, Rob, who currently serves as chairman of the Senate appropriations committee and is term limited in 2020. “Jennifer is an incredible mother to our children, a passionate warrior for our community and I couldn’t be more proud of her desire to serve the people of North Florida,” said Sen. Bradley. “She’s as independent as she is brilliant, and I can’t wait to watch her move mountains in Tallahassee!"

Senate District 5 covers a broad swath of North Florida, including the whole of Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee and Union counties as well as a piece of western Marion County.