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Berny Jacques

Susan R. Leff

Candidates listed as they appear on the ballot.

Berny Jacques

Susan R. Leff

Berny Jacques

Susan R. Leff

Position on major issues

Photo of Berny Jacques

Berny Jacques

Berny is an attorney, nonprofit executive, and former political analyst with experience in public service and politics. He currently serves as Senior Partnerships Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay and holds several state and local civic appointments. A Seminole resident, he describes himself as a pro-life Christian, NRA member, and defender of constitutional rights.

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Candidates listed as they appear on the ballot.

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Thinking for yourself matters

Position on major issues

Position on major issues

Abortion and reproductive policy

Anti-Abortion Stance: Jacques maintains a staunchly pro-life voting record. Read full quote

Official record

Sponsored Civil Remedies Pertaining to Abortions

Dec 5, 2025 · Did not pass · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on OGSR/Parental Consent Requirements Before Terminating a Pregnancy

Apr 29, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Agriculture and rural policy

Official record

Voted Yes on OGSR/Aquaculture Records

Feb 4, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Cosponsored Refrigerant Safety and Agricultural Continuity

Jan 5, 2026 · Did not pass · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Apr 29, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Artificial intelligence

Official record

Voted Yes on Data Centers

Mar 11, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Use of Artificial Intelligence by Governmental Agencies to Detect Concealed Firearms

Apr 24, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Civil rights and freedoms

Official record

Voted Yes on Commencement of Civil Actions

Feb 17, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Criminal justice and policing

Public Safety and Law Enforcement Support: Jacques frequently emphasizes that funding and supporting public safety initiatives is his top legislative priority. Read full quote

Opposition to "Woke Ideology" and DEI: He is a vocal supporter of Governor Ron DeSantis's agenda, particularly regarding policies targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Read full quote

TAMPA, Fla. — State Rep. Berny Jacques defended Florida’s law enforcement policies, highlighted a recent endorsement from a local police organization and argued that local governments should prioritize public safety spending if voters approve a proposed property tax overhaul.

+92 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Economy, jobs and wages

Official record

Voted Yes on Public Employees Relations Commission

Mar 11, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on OGSR/Administration of Small Business Loan Programs Held by an Economic Development Agency

Mar 9, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Department of Commerce

Mar 5, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+5 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Education

School Choice and Youth Mentorship: Due to his extensive professional background with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Jacques emphasizes community-driven youth outreach and mentorship over state-managed programs. Read full quote

Official record

Voted Yes on Higher Education

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Pre-K-12 Education

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+92 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Elections and voting

Official record

Voted Yes on Elections

Mar 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Candidate Qualification

Feb 25, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Security for Nominees and Officers-elect to the Offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Feb 25, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+10 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Energy

April 23, 2026 | by Berny Jacques Yesterday, I joined Gov. DeSantis and colleagues in Jacksonville where I witnessed the signature of HB 1217—a bill I sponsored with Rep. Snyder which bans local governments from enacting Green New Scam policies! Read full quote

Official record

Voted Yes on Rural Electric Cooperatives

Mar 11, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Advanced Nuclear Reactors

Mar 5, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+4 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Environment and climate

April 23, 2026 | by Berny Jacques Yesterday, I joined Gov. DeSantis and colleagues in Jacksonville where I witnessed the signature of HB 1217—a bill I sponsored with Rep. Snyder which bans local governments from enacting Green New Scam policies! Read full quote

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Republican Rep. Berny Jacques announced Wednesday that he has secured $6.8 million in state funding for his district, including major infrastructural investments aimed at addressing chronic flooding in Pinellas County following the devastating 2024 hurricane season.

The state representative noted that a primary focus of his funding push is mitigating heavy flood zones in House District 59, which bore the brunt of back-to-back hits from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

+32 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Families and social services

Official record

Voted Yes on Children’s Initiatives

Mar 11, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Out-of-home Placement Providers and Treatment Facilities

Mar 4, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Specific Medical Diagnoses in Child Protective Investigations

Mar 3, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+5 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Firearms policy

Official record

Voted Yes on Minimum Age for Firearm Purchase or Transfer

Jan 15, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Cosponsored Minimum Age for Firearm Purchase or Transfer

Oct 8, 2025 · Did not pass · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Use of Artificial Intelligence by Governmental Agencies to Detect Concealed Firearms

Apr 24, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+4 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Government reform

Official record

Voted Yes on Judges

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Justice Administrative Commission

Mar 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Public Records/Body Camera Recordings Recorded by a Code Inspector

Mar 10, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+17 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Healthcare

Official record

Voted Yes on Health Care

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Uterine Fibroid Research Database

Mar 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Permits

Mar 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+97 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Housing

Property Tax Relief: On his campaign platform, Jacques supports conservative fiscal reforms, including a state proposal aimed at backing constitutional property tax relief measures for Florida homeowners.

Official record

Voted Yes on Local Housing Assistance Plans

Mar 10, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Housing for Veterans

Mar 10, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+11 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Immigration

Official record

Voted Yes on Employment Eligibility

Jan 15, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Sponsored Violation of State Immigration Law

Oct 21, 2025 · Did not pass · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Sponsored Employment Eligibility

Oct 16, 2025 · Did not pass · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+6 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Infrastructure and transportation

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Republican Rep. Berny Jacques announced Wednesday that he has secured $6.8 million in state funding for his district, including major infrastructural investments aimed at addressing chronic flooding in Pinellas County following the devastating 2024 hurricane season.

The state representative noted that a primary focus of his funding push is mitigating heavy flood zones in House District 59, which bore the brunt of back-to-back hits from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

Official record

Voted Yes on Department of Management Services

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+35 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Local control

TAMPA, Fla. — State Rep. Berny Jacques defended Florida’s law enforcement policies, highlighted a recent endorsement from a local police organization and argued that local governments should prioritize public safety spending if voters approve a proposed property tax overhaul.

Official record

Voted Yes on Assessments Levied on Recreational Vehicle Parks

Mar 10, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Official Actions of Local Governments

Mar 10, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+9 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

National security and foreign policy

Official record

Voted Yes on Concurrent Legislative Jurisdiction over United States Military Installations

Feb 17, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Social Security and retirement

Official record

Voted Yes on Retirement

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Retirement

Feb 19, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Retirement

Jun 16, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+1 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Taxes and government spending

TAMPA, Fla. — State Rep. Berny Jacques defended Florida’s law enforcement policies, highlighted a recent endorsement from a local police organization and argued that local governments should prioritize public safety spending if voters approve a proposed property tax overhaul.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Republican Rep. Berny Jacques announced Wednesday that he has secured $6.8 million in state funding for his district, including major infrastructural investments aimed at addressing chronic flooding in Pinellas County following the devastating 2024 hurricane season.

The state representative noted that a primary focus of his funding push is mitigating heavy flood zones in House District 59, which bore the brunt of back-to-back hits from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

+48 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Technology and privacy

Official record

Voted Yes on Local Government Cyber Security

Mar 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Data Centers

Mar 11, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Local Government Cyber Security

Mar 4, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+5 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Veterans

Official record

Voted Yes on Veterans Dental Care Grant Program

Feb 25, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Veterans

May 2, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Veterans

Apr 30, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+1 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Animals and wildlife

Official record

Voted Yes on Dangerous Dogs

Apr 30, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Dangerous Dogs

Apr 23, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Emergency management

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Republican Rep. Berny Jacques announced Wednesday that he has secured $6.8 million in state funding for his district, including major infrastructural investments aimed at addressing chronic flooding in Pinellas County following the devastating 2024 hurricane season.

The state representative noted that a primary focus of his funding push is mitigating heavy flood zones in House District 59, which bore the brunt of back-to-back hits from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

Official record

Voted Yes on Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund/Executive Office of the Governor

Mar 13, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+7 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

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