Florida Senate District 5

District covers Baker, Bradford Clay, Columbia, Union and other counties west to the Gulf Coast

Five Florida Senate districts cover all of Northeast Florida

State Sen. Rob Bradley cannot run for re-election due to term limits. His wife, Jennifer Bradley, won the August Republican primary and will face Democrat Melina Barratt in the general election in November.

Scroll down to read each candidate’s responses to News4Jax’s questionnaire, presented verbatim as submitted.

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  REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE

Jennifer Bradley

Party affiliation: Republican

Age: 49

Candidate’s family: My husband Rob and I have been married for 25 years. We have 3 children- Connor (UNF graduate, working in St. Louis, MO), Stephanie (UF graduate, obtaining Masters in Accounting at USF); Caroline (attending UF)

Occupation: Attorney and Small Business Owner

Education: Juris Doctorate, Florida State University; Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, University of Florida

Political experience: None

What do you see as the top three issues in this race?

  1. Supporting law enforcement and stopping liberals from defunding the police.
  2. Growing our economy and creating jobs. Allowing small businesses and agriculture to innovate and thrive.
  3. Defending North Florida conservative values like protecting the unborn and standing up for our Second Amendment rights.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

I am a lifelong Republican who will fight for north Florida values in Tallahassee. My opponent was a Democrat until 2018 and switched parties to run for this office. We need real conservatives in Tallahasssee.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

I'd like to be remembered as a leader who treated everyone with respect, led with humility and created a lasting legacy of accomplishments that improved north Florida.

If elected how would you address the calls for racial justice?

Every Floridian, regardless of race, has the absolute right to pursue their dreams and go as far as their drive and ambition will take them.

What challenges does COVID-19 present to the office you are seeking?

These are unprecedented times. The coronavirus will have a negative effect on state revenues and our budget. We must find innovative ways to deliver essential services without raising taxes. No new taxes.

Campaign website: VoteJenniferBradley.com

Campaign’s social media pages: Facebook


  DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE

Melina Rayna Svanhild Farley-Barratt

Party: Democratic

Campaign website: melinarayna.org

NOTE: This candidate died of thyroid cancer on Oct. 13. Her name remains on the ballot and votes cast for her will go to a replacement candidate named by the Florida Democratic Party.

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