Jeff Brandes

Republican Party

Prior offices

Florida House of Representatives District 52

* * *

Florida State Senate District 22

* * *

Florida State Senate District 24

Successor: Bobby Powell Jr.

* * *

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army Reserve

Years of service

1996 - 2007

Personal

Religion

Christian: Methodist

Profession

Real estate broker

Contact

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Jeff Brandes (Republican Party) was a member of the Florida State Senate, representing District 24. He assumed office on November 8, 2016. He left office on November 8, 2022.

Brandes (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Florida State Senate to represent District 24. He won in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Brandes was first elected to the state Senate in 2012. He represented District 22 in the state Senate from 2012 to 2016. He served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 52 from 2010 to 2012.

## Contents

* 1 Biography
* 2 Committee assignments
* 2.1 2017 legislative session
* 2.2 2015 legislative session
* 2.3 2013-2014
* 2.4 2011-2012
* 3 Issues
* 3.1 Presidential preference
* 4 Sponsored legislation
* 5 Elections
* 5.1 2022
* 5.2 2018
* 5.3 2016
* 5.4 2014
* 5.5 2012
* 5.6 2010
* 6 Campaign themes
* 6.1 2014
* 7 Campaign finance summary
* 8 Scorecards
* 8.1 2022
* 8.2 2021
* 8.3 2020
* 8.4 2019
* 8.5 2018
* 8.6 2017
* 8.7 2016
* 8.8 2015
* 8.9 2014
* 8.10 2013
* 9 Personal
* 10 See also
* 11 External links
* 12 Footnotes

## Biography[edit]

Brandes earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Carson-Newman College. His professional experience includes working as a real estate broker and manager of his family's asset portfolio. Earlier in his career, he worked for Cox Lumber Co.'s real estate development team. Brandes served in the U.S. Army Reserve, during which he was called to active duty in Iraq as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

## Committee assignments[edit]

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at:editor@ballotpedia.org.

#### 2021-2022

Brandes was assigned to the following committees:

* Senate Rules Committee
* Senate Appropriations Committee
* Banking and Insurance Committee
* Criminal Justice Committee, Vice Chair
* Senate Judiciary Committee, Chair

#### 2019-2020

Brandes was assigned to the following committees:

* Joint Legislative Budget Commission
* Joint Legislative Auditing Committee, Alternating Chair
* Senate Appropriations Committee
* Banking and Insurance Committee
* Criminal Justice Committee, Vice Chair
* Senate Rules Committee
* Innovation, Industry, and Technology Committee

### 2017 legislative session[edit]

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2017

• Appropriations
• Community Affairs
• Criminal Justice
• Regulated Industries
• Rules

### 2015 legislative session[edit]

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Brandes served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2015

• Community Affairs, Vice chair
• Criminal Justice
• Education Pre-K - 12
• Judiciary
• Transportation, Chair
• Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight

### 2013-2014[edit]

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Brandes served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2013

• Transportation, Chair
• Agriculture
• Education
• Health Policy

### 2011-2012[edit]

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Brandes served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2011

• Education

## Issues[edit]

### Presidential preference[edit]

2012

See also: Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election

Jeff Brandes endorsed Rick Perry in the 2012 presidential election.[1]

## Sponsored legislation[edit]

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

## Elections[edit]

### 2022[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2022

Jeff Brandes did not file to run for re-election.

### 2018[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2018

#### General election

##### General election for Florida State Senate District 24

Incumbent Jeff Brandes defeated Lindsay Cross in the general election for Florida State Senate District 24 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| Jeff Brandes (R) |

54.3

| 116,415

| Lindsay Cross (D) |

45.7

| 98,104

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 214,519

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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#### Democratic primary election

#####  Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 24

Lindsay Cross advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 24 on August 28, 2018.

Candidate

|

| Lindsay Cross

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

#### Republican primary election

#####  Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 24

Incumbent Jeff Brandes advanced from the Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 24 on August 28, 2018.

Candidate

|

| Jeff Brandes

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

### 2016[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 24, 2016.

Incumbent Jeff Brandes ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 24 general election.[2][3]

Florida State Senate, District 24 General Election, 2016

Party | Candidate
| Republican |  Jeff Brandes Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Florida Division of Elections

Incumbent Jeff Brandes ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 24 Republican primary.[4][5]

Florida State Senate, District 24 Republican Primary, 2016

Party | Candidate
| Republican |  Jeff Brandes Incumbent (unopposed)

### 2014[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014. Judithanne McLauchlan was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while incumbent Jeff Brandes was unopposed in the Republican primary. Brandes defeated McLauchlan in the general election.[6][7]

Florida State Senate, District 22 General Election, 2014 Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes

|
|
|

| Republican  | Jeff Brandes Incumbent | 57.7% | 101,983
| Democratic  |  Judithanne McLauchlan  | 42.3% | 74,804
Total Votes | 176,787

### 2012[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2012

Brandes won election in the 2012 election for Florida State Senate District 22. Brandes defeated James Frishe in the Republican primary on August 14, 2012, and defeated Raymond Alan Baker (Write-in) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[8]

Florida State Senate, District 22, General Election, 2012 Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes

|
|
|

| Republican  | Jeff Brandes | 99.7% | 157,438
| Independent  |  Raymond Alan Baker  | 0.3% | 481
Total Votes | 157,919
Florida State Senate, District 22 Republican Primary, 2012 Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Jeff Brandes | 56.7% | 20,655
James C. Frishe  | 43.3% | 15,776
Total Votes | 36,431

### 2010[edit]

See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2010

Brandes did not have any opposition in the August 24 primary. He defeated incumbent Bill Heller (D) in the November 2 general election.[9]

Florida House of Representatives, District 52
2010 General election results

Candidates  | Votes  | Percent
Jeff Brandes (R)  | 21,237 | 51.20%
Bill Heller (D)  | 20,238  | 48.80%

## Campaign themes[edit]

### 2014[edit]

Brandes' website highlighted the following campaign themes:[10]

Economy & Jobs

* Excerpt: "It is imperative that Florida remains competitive in attracting new companies and growing small businesses. I realize that cutting taxes and decreasing regulation is the best way to achieve these goals."

Taxes & State Budget

* Excerpt: "I am in favor of cutting taxes whenever possible because government is not living within its means and is currently on an unsustainable course."

Education

* Excerpt: "I understand that education is not one size fits all, which is why he supports parental choice. Tallahassee needs to make education funding a priority, require a rigorous curriculum, and measure results for a successful outcome."

Second Amendment Rights

* Excerpt: "I understand that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms is often under assault, and will defend it from attack in the Florida Legislature."

Obamacare & Stimulus

* Excerpt: "I will stand up to big government, fight Obamacare, reject any future Obama stimulus, and work to grow our economy and create jobs the right way."

## Campaign finance summary[edit]

* * *

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

* * *

Jeff Brandes campaign contribution history Year| Office| Status| Contributions| Expenditures

|
|
|
|

2018| Florida State Senate District 24| Won general| $1,222,091|  N/A**
2016| Florida State Senate, District 24| Won | $333,582|  N/A**
2014| Florida State Senate, District 22| Won | $1,261,949|  N/A**
2012| Florida State Senate, District 22| Won | $568,010|  N/A**
2010| Florida State House, District 52| Won | $399,864|  N/A**
Grand total| $3,785,496|  N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

## Scorecards[edit]

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Florida

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Florida scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

### 2022

In 2022, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 11 to March 14.

* Americans for Prosperity Florida

Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.

* Associated Industries of Florida

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Progress Florida and Florida Watch

Legislators were scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more.

* National Federation of Independent Business

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

### 2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 2 to April 30.

* Americans for Prosperity Florida

Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.

* Associated Industries of Florida

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Progress Florida and Florida Watch

Legislators were scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more.

* Sierra Club Florida Chapter

Legislators are scored on votes on environmental bills.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 14 to March 19.

* Associated Industries of Florida

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* National Federation of Independent Business

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 5 through May 3.

* Americans for Prosperity Florida

Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.

* Associated Industries of Florida

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

* Foundation for Florida's Future: House and Senate

Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to education.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 9 through March 11.

* Americans for Prosperity Florida

Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.

* Associated Industries of Florida

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Florida Health Care Association: House and Senate

Legislators are scored on their stances on healthcare related issues.

* Foundation for Florida's Future: House and Senate

Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to education.

* Liberty First Network

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 7 through May 8. There was also a special session from June 7 to June 9.

* Americans for Prosperity Florida

Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.

* First Amendment Foundation

Legislators are scored on their stance on public records access as it relates to Florida's "Sunshine Law"

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Florida Health Care Association: House and Senate

Legislators are scored on their stances on healthcare related issues.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 12 through March 11.

* Americans for Prosperity Florida

Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.

* Associated Industries of Florida

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Florida Family Action

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to social issues.

* Florida Health Care Association: House and Senate

Legislators are scored on their stances on healthcare related issues.

* Fund Education Now

Legislators are scored on whether the organization believes they are making an effort to provide “a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education.”

* Liberty First Network

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.

* National Federation of Independent Business

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 1.

* Americans for Prosperity Florida

Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.

* Associated Industries of Florida

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Florida Health Care Association

Legislators are scored on their stances on issues related to healthcare.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 5.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Florida Health Care Association

Legislators are scored on their stances on issues related to healthcare.

* Florida Sheriff's Association

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to public safety and law enforcement officials.

* Let Florida Decide

Legislators are scored on their stances on marijuana.

* Liberty First Network

Legislators are scored on a group of bills that the organization supports or opposes.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 5 through May 3.

* Associated Industries of Florida

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Florida Sheriff's Association

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to public safety and law enforcement officials.

* Preserve our Paradise

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to fracking.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

## Personal[edit]

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Brandes and his wife, Natalie, have two children.

## See also[edit]

* Florida State Senate
* Senate Committees
* Florida State Legislature
* Florida state legislative districts

## External links[edit]

* Search Google News for this topic

Personal

* Facebook
* Instagram
* LinkedIn

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Tampabay.com, "Another big Florida endorsement for Rick Perry?" August 10, 2011
2. ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidate listing for 2016 general election," accessed September 12, 2016
3. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "November 8, 2016 Official Election Results," accessed November 23, 2016
4. ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidates and Races," accessed July 1, 2016
5. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "August 30, 2016 Official Election Results," accessed September 22, 2016
6. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "2014 Florida Election Watch - Multi-County or District Offices," accessed September 3, 2014
7. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate Listing for 2014 General Election," accessed June 23, 2014
8. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed April 15, 2012
9. ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "November 2, 2010, Election Results," November 2, 2010
10. ↑ electjeffbrandes.com, "Issues," accessed October 23, 2014

Political offices

Preceded by
\-  |  Florida State Senate District 24
2016-2022 | Succeeded by
Bobby Powell Jr. (D)
Preceded by
\-  |  Florida State Senate District 22
2012-2016 | Succeeded by

Preceded by
\-  |  Florida House of Representatives District 52
2010-2012 | Succeeded by

[show]

Current members of the Florida State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Ben Albritton

Majority Leader:Jim Boyd

Senators

District 1

Don Gaetz (R)

District 2

Jay Trumbull (R)

District 3

Corey Simon (R)

District 4

Clay Yarborough (R)

District 5

Tracie Davis (D)

District 6

Jennifer Bradley (R)

District 7

Tom Leek (R)

District 8

Tom Wright (R)

District 9

Stan McClain (R)

District 10

Jason Brodeur (R)

District 11

Blaise Ingoglia (R)

District 12

Colleen Burton (R)

District 13

Keith Truenow (R)

District 14

Jay Collins (R)

District 15

Vacant

District 16

Darryl Rouson (D)

District 17

Carlos Smith (D)

District 18

Nick DiCeglie (R)

District 19

Vacant

District 20

Jim Boyd (R)

District 21

Ed Hooper (R)

District 22

Joe Gruters (R)

District 23

Daniel Burgess (R)

District 24

Mack Bernard (D)

District 25

Kristen Arrington (D)

District 26

Lori Berman (D)

District 27

Ben Albritton (R)

District 28

Kathleen Passidomo (R)

District 29

Erin Grall (R)

District 30

Tina Polsky (D)

District 31

Gayle Harrell (R)

District 32

Rosalind Osgood (D)

District 33

Jonathan Martin (R)

District 34

Shevrin Jones (D)

District 35

Barbara Sharief (D)

District 36

Ileana Garcia (R)

District 37

Jason Pizzo (N)

District 38

Alexis Calatayud (R)

District 39

Bryan Avila (R)

District 40

Ana Rodriguez (R)

Republican Party (27)

Democratic Party (10)

No Party Affiliation (1)

Vacancies (2)

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State of Florida
Tallahassee (capital)

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