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8th Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 8th District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Mike Haridopolos (R) says on his site he was elected to this seat in 2024. Jennifer Jenkins (D) is a former Brevard County School Board member, by her own account. With all 67 counties at 100% of precincts reporting, Haridopolos leads by 20,277 votes. Our saved sources show no race call and no concession, and the count is unofficial until certified. Check your own address on the Florida Division of Elections voter lookup to confirm your district.

Haridopolos leadsAll 67 counties at 100% of precincts reporting; no call or concession in our sources; unofficial until certified1
53.17%Haridopolos (R): 169,8631
46.83%Jenkins (D): 149,5861
20,277Vote margin of 319,449 cast1

Do they have a plan?

We read every issue on each candidate's own website and checked the same six things for every one. We count what's there. We don't grade whether the ideas are good. Read the full scoring rules

Of the issues on their website, how many...Mike HaridopolosJennifer Jenkins
Names a policy5 of 10
3 of 4
Says how they'd do it0 of 10
0 of 4
Includes a number or target0 of 10
0 of 4
Says how it's paid for0 of 10
0 of 4
Gives a timeline0 of 10
0 of 4
Points to a record3 of 10
0 of 4

The candidates, side by side

Each topic shows every candidate's own words on it, in alphabetical order, from their own website. "Nothing on this topic" means their site doesn't cover it. Topic rows are grouped by us from their headings; the scores don't change.

Mike HaridopolosRepublican
Jennifer JenkinsDemocrat
Who they are
Mike Haridopolos
Says he was elected to the 8th District seat in 2024, and served in the Florida House and Senate, by his own account.3 His Issues page has ten sections; all ten were scored.2
Jennifer Jenkins
Former Brevard County School Board member and founder of Educated We Stand, by her own account.5 Her Priorities page has four sections; all four were scored.4
Immigration and the border
Mike Haridopolos
Illegal Immigration"Mike led the fight to defeat a measure in the Florida legislature to allow illegals to obtain a driver's license."2
Names a policy
Jennifer Jenkins
Nothing on this topic
Veterans
Mike Haridopolos
The Military & Veterans"Our veterans deserve the best care as well for their service to our nation."2
None of the six checks
Jennifer Jenkins
Nothing on this topic
Health care
Mike Haridopolos
Healthcare"Mike stands firm against any single-payer healthcare system."2
Names a policy
Jennifer Jenkins
Healthcare"Expand Medicaid so Floridians aren't forced into emergency care or medical debt." Also: "Restore and strengthen ACA subsidies to lower premiums immediately."4
Names a policy
Schools and education
Mike Haridopolos
Nothing on this topic
Jennifer Jenkins
Education"Fully fund IDEA and defend Section 504, ensuring students with disabilities receive the supports they are guaranteed by law."4
Names a policy
Energy and environment
Mike Haridopolos
Indian River Lagoon"Since elected in 2024, Mike has delivered over $14 MILLION in funding through appropriations requests for Indian River Lagoon Projects."2
Points to a record
Jennifer Jenkins
Nothing on this topic
Roads, transit and infrastructure
Mike Haridopolos
Space"He has helped secure billions in funding for NASA and other projects that directly impact the space industry in Florida."2
Points to a record
Jennifer Jenkins
Nothing on this topic
Crime and public safety
Mike Haridopolos
Crime & Public Safety"Additionally, Mike has always been a staunch defender of our Second Amendment rights, carrying an A rating from the NRA from his service in the Florida Legislature."2
None of the six checks
Jennifer Jenkins
Public Safety"Support evidence-based public safety strategies that reduce violence and recidivism."4
None of the six checks
Elections and voting
Mike Haridopolos
Protecting Our Elections"I'm fighting to restore trust in our elections by supporting the SAVE America Act and ensuring proper voter verification measures are in place."2
Names a policy
Jennifer Jenkins
Nothing on this topic
Ethics, term limits and money in politics
Mike Haridopolos
Ban Congressional Stock Trading"That's why I supported legislation to ban members of Congress from trading stocks and end the culture of self-dealing in Washington."2
Names a policy
Term Limits"Mike signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge and will vote for all term limits measures in office."2
Names a policy
Jennifer Jenkins
Nothing on this topic
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Mike Haridopolos
Strong Economy"Under President Trump's leadership, Mike helped pass historic tax relief and provided more opportunities for small businesses to grow than ever before."2, 3
Points to a record
Jennifer Jenkins
Affordability"Stabilize Florida's property insurance market through bipartisan federal reinsurance and catastrophe backstops."4
Names a policy
Their record
Mike Haridopolos
  • Elected to Congress in 2024, by his own account; earlier a Florida House member and State Senate President from 2010 to 2012. "In 2008, he sponsored and championed Florida's constitutional amendment reducing property taxes."3
Jennifer Jenkins
  • Served on the Brevard County School Board and founded Educated We Stand, a national organization on public education, by her own account.5
In their words
Mike Haridopolos

"Free and fair elections start with one simple principle: American elections should be decided by American citizens."

Mike Haridopolos, campaign Issues page2

"Politicians should not profit from the very laws they pass."

Mike Haridopolos, campaign Issues page2
Jennifer Jenkins

"Jennifer understands Florida's cost crisis because she lives it."

Jennifer Jenkins, campaign Priorities page4

"Jennifer Jenkins took on the co-founder of Moms for Liberty and won."

Jennifer Jenkins, campaign Priorities page4
Where we read it
Mike Haridopolos
Website: mike4congress.com/issues (checked 11/5/2026)
Jennifer Jenkins
Website: jenkinsforfl.com/priorities/ (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • Both back law enforcement. Haridopolos: "As the son of a law enforcement agent, Mike knows the challenges our men and women in uniform face each day."2 Jenkins: "has always stood with law enforcement."4
  • Both say health care costs are too high. Haridopolos: "prices have been spiraling out of control."2 Jenkins: "families are seeing health insurance premiums spike."4

Where they really split

  • Health care: Haridopolos "stands firm against any single-payer healthcare system."2 Jenkins would "Expand Medicaid so Floridians aren't forced into emergency care or medical debt."4
  • Immigration: Haridopolos supports "President Trump's immigration measures to secure the southern border and remove dangerous illegal aliens."2 Jenkins: "Protect the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens and immigrants alike."4
  • Prices: Haridopolos says "Mike helped pass historic tax relief."2 Jenkins would "Oppose reckless tariffs that drive up the cost of everyday goods."4

What each one leaves out

  • Haridopolos' Issues page names a policy on five of ten issues but says how on none. Its dollar figures describe past funding, not future targets, and it sets no dates.2
  • Jenkins' Priorities page names a policy on three of four issues but says how on none. It gives no costs, and "immediately" is the only timing.4
Sources (checked 11/5/2026)
  1. Florida Division of Elections, Florida Election Watch, unofficial (all 67 counties at 100% of precincts reporting): floridaelectionwatch.gov/FederalOffices/USRepresentative
  2. Mike Haridopolos campaign, Issues: mike4congress.com/issues
  3. Mike Haridopolos campaign, About: mike4congress.com/about
  4. Jennifer Jenkins campaign, Priorities: jenkinsforfl.com/priorities/
  5. Jennifer Jenkins campaign, About: jenkinsforfl.com/about/