Name: Rodney W. Jacobs, Jr.
Campaign website: jacobsforsenate.com
Date, place of birth: Philadelphia, PA 12/08/1989
Education:
● Hiram College BA’12 in Political Science
● University of Dayton School of Law JD’15
● University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Masters of Public Health (MPH)’ 21
● University of Miami Masters Public Administration (MPA)’20
Occupation:
● Executive Director City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel
● United States Army Reserve Captain
● Adjunct Professor Florida International University
Work history past 15 years. List in reverse chronological order.
2015-Present: United States Army Reserve Captain
● Branch: Military Intelligence 2015-2020
● Branch: Special Operations and Civil Affairs (Military Government and Sustainability)
2020-Present
2022- Present: Executive Director of the City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel
2022- Present: Adjunct Professor at Florida International University
● Responsible for conducting graduate school lectures and coursework for Administrative
Law and Public Policy for the Summer, Fall and Spring semesters.
● Courses: PAD 3431 Exploring Leadership; PAD 6436 Professionalism and Ethics; and
PAD 6605 Administrative Law.
2017-2022: Assistant Director of the City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel
May 2014: Legal Litigation Extern, United States Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (NYD)
Aug. 2013-Jan. 2014: Judicial Intern for Senior District Judge Hon. Walter Herbert Rice, United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Dayton, OH
May 2013 – Aug.2013: Civil and Criminal Intern, Office of the Attorney General New York State, New York, NY Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
Nov. 2012 – Apr. 2013: The City of Dayton Human Relations Council, Dayton, OH
Jun. 2012 – Aug. 2012: Legal Aid/Intern Department of Correction, State of New York Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Queens, NY
Jun. 2011- Aug. 2011: Extern/Mediator, Office of the Attorney General New York State, Harlem, NY, Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau
Have you been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime, had an adjudication withheld or had a matter sealed or expunged? If yes, please explain.
No
Have you been a plaintiff or defendant in a civil action, including bankruptcy or foreclosure or had a restraining order issued against you? If so, please explain.
No
Why are you running for this office and what specifically makes you a better candidate than your opponent(s)?
I am running for office because I understand firsthand the struggles of living paycheck to paycheck, balancing bills, and trying to provide for a family in the face of economic uncertainty.
I know what it’s like to worry if your week will outlast your money, to agonize over paying the
childcare bill at the end of the month—often as high as your rent or mortgage. I’ve experienced
the frustration of commuting for hours because the only affordable housing is in another county,
navigating the relentless South Florida traffic.
My friends and family are living these challenges too: hospital workers who can’t afford to get
sick, hospitality workers who clean hotel rooms they can never afford to stay in, and teachers
who educate our future yet struggle to repay their own student loans. I know what it’s like to be a
father and husband in a family of four, drowning in student loan debt, dreaming of a vacation but
settling for a moment of peace in your own living room.
I know soldiers who defend their nation, only to return home and realize their nation won’t
defend them. My military background gives me first-hand knowledge on what it means to serve
and protect, and I will always advocate for our service members and veterans. I have dedicated
my career to public service, and as a City government executive, I actively fight against radical
bills like HB601, which was implemented to eradicate police oversight and accountability in
Florida while instituting new mediation programs instead to bridge the divide between law
enforcement and community.
In education, I have firsthand experience navigating book bans, DEI challenges, and “Stop
WOKE” agendas in my classroom, and I will fight to ensure our schools have the resources they
need, that our educators are supported and empowered, and that our children are prepared for the
future. Furthermore, my expertise in health care policy allows me to address issues that impact
quality of life and disease burden in Broward County. From bolstering needle exchange programs to combating HIV/AIDS, I have worked on initiatives that directly improve community health and commit to expand affordable healthcare access and promote public health.
These aren’t just stories I’ve heard; they are my reality. I contend with these issues every day,
and that’s why I am committed to making a change. My opponents may speak about these
challenges, but I am living them. I am not just an advocate; I am a testament to the struggles we
face and the resilience we need to overcome them.
The best candidate for District 35 will truly understand the needs of our community to ensure
that our policies create actual solutions for them. I am running to fight for those who, like me,
are doing their best to make ends meet in an increasingly unaffordable world.
What are the three most important issues currently facing your legislative district?
The three most important issues currently facing our legislative district are affordability and housing, education that promotes prosperity, and environmental protection. These are not just
policy priorities but essential steps toward a stronger, more resilient community.
Affordability and Housing: Rising home insurance rates and rent instability are putting immense pressure on families in our district. Residents are struggling to keep up with increasing costs, which threaten their ability to stay in their homes. We need comprehensive policies that tackle skyrocketing rents,provide affordable housing options, and address our skyrocketing home insurance rates.
Education: The state of our education system is deeply concerning, especially as I raise my two
sons in this district. Book bans, school closings, and the misuse of public dollars to support private and for-profit education undermine the quality of and access to education for our students. We need to protect our schools from these harmful policies and ensure that our schools are properly funded and that our curriculum is based on facts and promotes critical thinking so that our students, and therefore our community, can be successful and prosper.
Environmental Protection: This is a Public Health Crisis! Protecting the Everglades and addressing environmental issues are vital for the health and well-being of our district. The Everglades are not only a natural treasure but also a critical component of our ecosystem. We must take decisive action to prevent pollution, particularly from phosphate runoff from Lake Okeechobee, and address the impacts of sea level rise. Environmental protection goes hand in hand with public health, as cleaner air and water directly contribute to a healthier community.
After the 2024 session, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed all money for arts and cultural programs and projects, estimated at $32 million, to more than 600 organizations. Do you agree or disagree with this veto and why?
I strongly disagree with Governor Ron DeSantis’s veto of arts and cultural funding. Eliminating funding for these projects deepens the division we have in our state around race, culture, and
identity. Arts and cultural programs are essential for fostering understanding and empathy among
diverse groups. They provide a unique platform for individuals from different backgrounds to
come together, engage in meaningful dialogue, and explore complex social issues. In a time
when our society is increasingly polarized, the arts connect us and help us appreciate our shared
humanity.
Moreover, arts and cultural programs contribute significantly to the economic vitality of our
communities. They create jobs, attract tourism, and stimulate local economies. By investing in
the arts, we are also investing in economic development and the overall well-being of our state.
The arts are a powerful tool to bridge divides, foster understanding, and build a more inclusive
and empathetic society. By reinstating and increasing funding for these programs, we can ensure
that Florida remains a vibrant and culturally rich state where all residents can thrive and connect.
In the 2024 session, the Legislature passed a major change to Florida’s ethics law (SB 7014) requiring a complainant to have personal knowledge of the facts of a case. Would you have voted for or against this law and why?
Not only would I have voted against SB 7014, I actively worked against this bill, as well as its close cousin, HB 601, throughout the legislative session. This legislation significantly undermines the ability of ethics departments to self-initiate complaints about misconduct, which is a crucial mechanism for ensuring accountability and transparency in government. By requiring personal knowledge of the action, the law creates an unnecessary barrier for individuals who may have important information but are not direct witnesses to the misconduct. This “chills” the ability of individuals with relevant knowledge to come forward, effectively discouraging whistleblowers and reducing the likelihood of unethical behavior being reported and addressed.
Ethics laws are meant to safeguard the integrity of our public institutions and ensure that public
officials are held accountable for their actions. In order to maintain trust in our government, it is
essential that we have robust and accessible mechanisms for reporting and investigating ethical
violations. This bill moves us in the opposite direction, which is why I firmly oppose it.
In the 2024 case, the Legislature passed a law (HB 1365) that prohibits homeless people from sleeping in public spaces. Would you have voted for or against this law and why?
I would have voted against HB 1365. This bill directly undermines the protections established by
the Pottinger Agreement, which I have also actively fought to preserve. Criminalizing homelessness does not address the root causes of the issue and only serves to perpetuate a cycle of marginalization and exacerbate tensions between our community and police departments.
Instead of providing real solutions, HB 1365 further marginalizes vulnerable individuals who are
already struggling with significant hardships. Quality of life issues cannot be solved through
punitive measures. Homelessness is a complex social issue that requires comprehensive and
compassionate responses, such as increasing access to affordable housing, expanding mental
health services, and providing job training and support programs.
By criminalizing the act of sleeping in public spaces, this bill fails to recognize the fundamental
human rights of homeless individuals and disregards their dignity. We should focus on policies
that offer support and pathways out of homelessness, rather than those that punish and
stigmatize.
It’s a misguided approach that does not solve the problem of homelessness but rather perpetuates
a cycle of criminalization and marginalization. I would have voted against HB 1365this bill and
continue to advocate for more humane and effective solutions to address homelessness in our
state.
Should state abortion laws include exceptions for rape, incest or human trafficking, and why?
Yes, state abortion laws should include exceptions for rape, incest, or human trafficking. However, it is important to emphasize that, fundamentally, abortion should be legal and the decision should be left up to the physician and the mother without government intrusion. Medical decisions are deeply personal and complex, and they should be made by those directly involved, not dictated by legislation.
In an imperfect world where abortion access may be restricted, exceptions for rape, incest, and
human trafficking are crucial. These situations involve significant trauma and complicate the
circumstances under which a woman might seek an abortion. Forcing a woman to carry a pregnancy resulting from rape, incest, or human trafficking only compounds the suffering and
trauma she has already endured.
These exceptions are necessary to safeguard the rights and well-being of victims who are in dire
need of compassion and support. Denying them the option to terminate such pregnancies is a
profound injustice that disregards their autonomy and further victimizes them.
While I advocate for the broader principle that abortion access should be unfettered and
governed by the medical relationship between a woman and her healthcare provider, ensuring
that exceptions for rape, incest, and human trafficking are included in any restrictive laws is a
critical step towards providing some level of protection and support for those in the most
distressing and vulnerable situations.
Do you support or oppose a proposed “open carry” or “constitutional carry” law for Florida and why?
I oppose the proposed “open carry” or “constitutional carry” laws for Florida. These provisions,
combined with the existing “stand your ground” laws, create a potentially volatile and dangerous
environment in our state.
“Open carry” laws allow individuals to carry firearms openly without a permit or mandatory training. This lack of regulation increases the risk of firearms being misused, particularly in public spaces where misunderstandings and conflicts can quickly escalate into deadly encounters. In a state that permits individuals to use deadly force if they feel threatened, the presence of more openly carried firearms undermines public safety and will lead to tragic consequences.
Our communities are already grappling with the impacts of gun violence, and adding more firearms into the mix without proper oversight and training exacerbates the problem. Instead of
expanding access to firearms, we should be focusing on measures that promote responsible gun
ownership, such as comprehensive background checks, mandatory training, and safe storage
laws.
Furthermore, the proliferation of firearms in public spaces creates an atmosphere of fear and
anxiety, which is detrimental to our communities. Ensuring public safety should be our top
priority, and that means implementing sensible gun safety measures that protect all citizens.
What additional measures do you support to address Florida’s property insurance crisis?
First, we need to address the reinsurance issue in Florida. Reinsurance, which insurers purchase
to protect themselves from significant losses, is a major factor driving up property insurance costs. We should work on establishing a state-backed reinsurance program to stabilize the market and reduce the dependency on volatile private reinsurance markets. This would help lower overall costs and provide more predictable pricing for insurers and homeowners alike.
Second, creating caps for policy increases is essential. Homeowners are currently facing
exorbitant premium hikes that make it difficult to afford necessary coverage. By implementing
caps on how much insurers can raise premiums annually, we can protect residents from sudden,
unaffordable increases and provide more stability in their financial planning.
Third, we must focus on reducing risk through effective mitigation efforts. Incentivizing
homeowners to invest in hurricane-proofing and other protections can significantly lower the
likelihood of damage and, consequently, insurance claims. Providing grants or tax breaks for
these improvements will make it easier for homeowners to afford to take proactive steps in
protecting their properties.
Additionally, we need to allow Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to operate for its
intended purpose—serving as an insurer of last resort. By keeping Citizens’ rates actuarially
sound and not artificially low, we can ensure it remains financially stable and capable of
providing coverage to those who truly need it without distorting the overall market.
Describe in detail one demographic, economic or social factor about your legislative district that sets it apart from all others.
One standout factor about my legislative district is its vibrant diversity and unique cultural blend.
Unlike other areas that may be more homogeneous, our district is a true melting pot where
various cultures converge and coalesce into a rich tapestry of traditions, languages, and lifestyles.
From the annual Orange Blossom Festival in Davie, celebrating our agricultural heritage, to the
lively Caribbean beats and concerts in Miramar, reflecting our many Caribbean communities,
every corner of our district resonates with cultural vibrancy.
The diversity does not end with our residents, either. Our district is blessed with a variety of
ecosystems that support both urban and natural landscapes. We cherish our Everglades, where
residents enjoy boat rides and immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of this unique
wilderness. Environmental protection is not just a policy issue but a shared commitment to
preserving our natural heritage for future generations.
In business, education, and social endeavors, this cultural richness and environmental
consciousness define our district’s character. It’s a place where cultures mingle and the natural
world intertwines with everyday life, creating a community that is both dynamic and harmonious. This unique blend sets our legislative district apart as a beacon of multiculturalism, environmental stewardship, and inclusive community spirit.
