The most recent attack ads are at the bottom of the page. I have taken the time to find citations where i could so you can trust the information found on this page. I’m tired of divisive, deceitful politics. How about you?

Chaney personally told me you didn’t vote for the budget. Did you vote for 2019 Budget? 2020 Budget?

YES. I voted for both budgets, and I voted “yes.” During the 2019 session, my grandfather passed away. He and my grandmother had been married for 64 years. She was heartbroken and asked me to come home to help prepare for his funeral. I left session before “sine die.” So, I voted for the budget “after roll call” because I knew precisely what was included in the budget. If you follow this link you can see the record of my vote, according to the daily journal: Click here to see my vote after roll call scroll to page 1315 and 1316. To view my excused absence scroll to page 1497.

Well, did you show up to vote on the budget in 2020?

YES. And this time I voted from my seat on the floor. I cast a “yes” vote. Click here to see my votes on the budget. Scroll to pages 1258, 1443, 1465, and 1467.

Did you miss any votes in committee?

YES. AND, CONTEXT IS IMPORTANT. Like other legislators, I did take every committee vote I could. I missed committee votes on two instances: (1) when I was excused to present bills in other committees, and (2) when I had food poisoning.

Did you vote against increasing teacher’s pay as Chaney said?

NO. Because of the Minority Caucus’s maneuverings on the house floor, we actually increased the number of teachers who would receive the pay increase and kept the Commissioner of Education out of bargaining agreements between county school districts and their teacher unions. I'm incredibly proud of our advocacy for our teachers and education professionals. I’m also proud to have the endorsement of our county and state educators.

Check out the article below to learn more about our tough bargaining to help teachers: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/322585-legislative-effort-to-raise-teacher-pay-breaks-down-over-collection-bargaining-differences  

Linda’s team said you voted against Speaker-designate Chris Sprowls’ DNA bill?

HALF TRUE. The DNA bill became a better bill between the 2019 session and the 2020 session. This is why I voted for the revised bill in 2020 and against the 2019 version of the bill. The lone “No” vote in the House was from Rep. Mike Hill (R), HD-1.  Here is an article that discusses the changes: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/317470-chris-sprowls-dna-privacy-bill-passes-the-house-but-questions-remain-in-the-senate

Chaney and her campaign manager said you were a “Do Nothing” Legislator—is this true? What exactly is your record of accomplishments?

NO. I am proud of my first term representing you. 60% of my legislative solutions became law and I secured $3.25 million in infrastructure and special education funding.

State Representatives are allowed to submit no more than 6 substantive bills. 60% of my legislation solutions were signed into law. 4 bills passed in my name, and 3 of my legislative solutions passed in other bills.

My first session I passed one bill in my name, one bill was executive ordered by Governor DeSantis, and one bill had such overlap with a bill introduced by my Republican colleagues that I worked with them and then co-sponsored their bill to ensure passage. Finally, the leaky lateral legislation was amended onto another bill during the 2020 session, passed and was signed into law this July.

You may be wondering about budgetary appropriations. After the Governor wielded his veto pen this year, I was able to hold onto a total of $3.25 million. The overwhelming majority of my appropriations I worked through the Senate because I feared that they would be vetoed because of politics in the House. As a House member working bills in the Senate, I intentionally developed relationships with Chairs and members from the majority party. Instead of taking a vacation last summer, I traveled the state identifying common priorities with Senators from both Parties and learning from them. During Session, I intentionally visited most Senators to advocate for both appropriations and substantive bills.

Linda’s latest attack ad implies you don’t care enough to make votes that would help children, families, and veterans. How do you feel about our vets?

I have a solid record working for our veterans and military personnel.

Most recently, I spent hours working to get our Veteran Service Organizations re-opened after the state shut down.

Most consistently, my record demonstrates a strong commitment to our military personnel and veterans when it comes to housing, training/education, and spousal benefits.

My most lasting commitment to our veterans has been through my service as secretary on a VA foundation board, by promoting pro-veteran environment on our campuses, and by facilitating collaboration between VAs/VSOs and local universities and medical schools. I have been focused on positively impacting our veteran community for the past 10 years.

Don’t take my word for it: Take Larry’s,

“My name is Larry Busby, I am a decorated and service connected disabled veteran. I know for a fact that Jennifer’s integrity and honesty is unquestionable.  When it comes to veterans issues she is very caring and empathetic. As a legislator she is a state employee and gets the same days and holidays off as most state employees do. I have personally seen and known her to show up at the Baypines VA for veterans ceremonies on her day off not as an invited speaker. Just as an ordinary person coming from a family of military veterans paying her respects without any fanfare or seeking limelight from the press, she is a very humble person. If you want a representative that digs in and fights for veterans needs then I promise this is the person that will take that fight to Tallahassee.”

Did you take PPP money and use it for your campaign?

NO. This is a big FAT lie. Actually, I have spent hours working with small business owners, our local chambers, and employees to secure Small Business Bridge Loans, PPP, EIDL, Unemployment, and the county’s CovidCares money.

OmniPublic (my business): Early in the pandemic, my business partner and I decided against applying for any small business loans. I told him I would feel terrible if we were able to get a PPP loan and a business in my district was unsuccessful. Luckily, I have equity built up in my home. I decided that if the time came and our business needed the cash we could take it out of my home.

Here is coverage by the Tampa Bay Times on this issue.

Did you sign a pledge to defund the police?

NO. This is a LIE that is being used by desperate candidates across the US. I did NOT sign a pledge to defund the police. According to Associated Press: “The broad “America’s Goals” statement that Future Now has asked candidates to sign makes no reference to cutting police funding.” The text of the pledge can be viewed here. The Pledge does not include the word “police” and makes no mention of defunding or reallocation. Nowhere in the pledge is there an expectation that legislators will support model policy.

The website in the text message is owned by Republican Party of Florida and does not contain factually accurate information.

Actually, I am the legislator Chief Holloway calls to have his men’s back during session. Feel free to call him directly. (He told me to write this). I’m always up to publicize the awesome work of the young officers in Kenneth City PD. And my favorite night of session is when Pinellas Park comes to visit and I get to hang with Chief Haworth.

Did you vote with your party 80% of the time?

LOL. ~80% of legislation passes the Floor of the House unanimously. We are not DC. So, this attack is factually true, but so would claiming that I vote with Republicans 80% of the time!

Okay. Well then do you work in a bi-partisan fashion?

YES! In my first term, I united my colleagues and district by:

• Spearheading a bipartisan group of women -- Rep. Erin Grall (R), Rep. Cyndi Stevenson (R) and Rep. Anna Eskamani (D) -- to defeat a bill expanding predatory lending

• Securing appropriations with Sen. Jeff Brandes (R) to protect our waterways and invest in our infrastructure.

• Pushing for passage of the Florida Competitive Workforce Act with Rep. Jackie Toledo (R) to protect our LGBTQ neighbors.

• Protecting our children from unnecessary Baker Acts with Sen. Gayle Harrell (R) and fighting to expand school breakfast programs with Sen. Ben Albritton (R). 

• Fighting alongside Sen. Ed Hooper (R) to protect and fund Visit Florida to help our local businesses.

Did you sell out to developers?

NO. The pictures of the attainable housing development on the mailers are not from the 64th Street proposed development in our district. This development is on 34th St. S. Also, SP city council NOT State Government are the ones who voted for the development on 64th St. -- a few blocks from my home. I am a BIG proponent of giving residents a say in maintaining the quality of life in their neighborhoods. I am a BIG proponent of ensuring that we don’t overwhelm areas and infrastructure by not paying attention to surrounding environment. And, I am a BIG proponent of attainable housing (which is the developer she is referencing).