Jeff Brandes, a true Florida native, was born and raised in St Petersburg. During his high school summers, Jeff learned the value of hard work while working in the lumber yard of his family’s business, Cox Lumber Co.Like his father and grandfathers before him, Jeff had a deep-rooted desire to serve his country. He joined the United States Army shortly after graduating high school. After graduating from Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama, he attended Florida Southern College and subsequently Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee.In February of 2003 Jeff was called to active duty and sent to Iraq to fight in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and as a First Lieutenant served honorably, leading over 75 convoys throughout various regions of Iraq during his fourteen months of deployment.After returning from Iraq, Jeff joined Cox Lumber Co. as part of its real estate development team. After the company was sold to HD Supply in 2006, Jeff obtained his real estate brokers license and Certified Property Manager designation, taking over the responsibility of managing the family’s real estate portfolio.Jeff ran for the Florida House of Representatives in 2010 and defeated a two-term incumbent in one of the state’s most competitive districts. In 2012 Jeff successfully ran for the Florida Senate and was re-elected in 2014, 2016 and 2018 until his final term that ended in 2022.In his time in the Legislature, Jeff has made a name for himself as a pragmatic leader that embraces innovative technology and brings creative solutions to the problems facing Tampa Bay. With a particular interest in transportation, criminal justice reform, property insurance, and housing affordability. To get in contact, email brandes@flpolicyproject.com