ORLANDO, Fla. – Jennifer Jenkins, a former Brevard County school board member who gained recognition for her criticisms of Moms for Liberty, has decided to exit her run for the U.S. Senate. This announcement comes just a day after Alex Vindman entered the race.
Jenkins initially declared her candidacy last year and had officially registered with the Federal Election Commission.
On Thursday, Jenkins took to X.com to announce her withdrawal from the race, simultaneously throwing her support behind Vindman for the Democratic nomination in Florida’s Senate contest. The Democratic nominee will challenge Senator Ashley Moody in the upcoming November election.
In a press statement, Jenkins expressed, “Although I’m stepping out of this race, my commitment to the cause remains strong. It’s time for us to rally together, align on our goals, and take the necessary actions to defeat Ashley Moody.”
She officially endorsed Vindman in her statement for the Democratic nomination.
Jenkins mentioned that she plans to reveal her future endeavors soon.
I’m so proud of this campaign and the fight we started. Florida is too important to stay divided, which is why I’ve decided to step aside and proudly endorse @AVindman for U.S. Senate.
Stay tuned. Next steps will be announced in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/lkKqu7aV0x
— Jennifer Jenkins (@Jenkins4Florida) January 29, 2026
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was a National Security Council specialist on Russia and Ukraine during the first Trump administration.
Vindman testified during the first impeachment of President Donald Trump in 2019. He accused the president of improperly trying to push the Ukrainian government to investigate Hunter Biden, former President Joe Biden’s son.
Vindman was forced out of the NSC after testifying. He accused Trump and administration officials of retaliating against Vindman for testifying by holding up his promotion to Lt. Colonel. He later retired from the military.
His twin brother, Eugene Vindman, was a lawyer with the NSC at the time. He was also removed from the NSC staff after his brother’s testimony. He is now a congressman in Virginia.
Other Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate include Alex Gould, Tamika Lyles and Hector Mujica.
Another candidate, Josh Weil, suspended his campaign last year because of health problems.
The candidates who qualify will be on the ballot in the Aug. 18 Florida statewide primary.
The winner will face Republican Ashley Moody in November. Moody is the former Florida attorney general who replaced Marco Rubio in the Senate after Rubio was appointed U.S. secretary of state.
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