Jake Johansson

Jake Johansson is the Republican candidate for Florida State Senate District 8 in the November 3, 2026 general election; the seat has no incumbent.[1] A retired U.S. Navy captain, he says in a Ballotpedia survey that he later served as City Manager of Port Orange and as a Volusia County Councilmember At-Large.[2]

Johansson served in the U.S. Navy from 1980 to 2015, according to Ballotpedia.[1] Ballotpedia lists a high school diploma from Williamson Senior High School, a bachelor's degree from Troy University in 1989 and a graduate degree from Old Dominion University in 2015, and gives his profession as business consultant.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he said he joined the Navy as a young enlisted sailor, earned his college degree at night, became a Naval Flight Officer, flew combat missions over Iraq, served as Naval Aide to the Vice President, and commanded a maritime patrol squadron and a Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia, before retiring as a Navy Captain.[2]

After leaving the Navy, Johansson said in the same survey, he served five years as City Manager of Port Orange and as a Volusia County Councilmember At-Large.[2] The Republican primary for the seat, scheduled for August 18, 2026, was canceled and he advanced to the general election, where Democrat Judy Ngying and Libertarian Gabriel Jude Wozniak are also on the ballot.[1] He described his campaign messages as leadership, "action not rhetoric," and protecting Florida's quality of life while expanding opportunity, citing workforce development, education, public safety, healthcare access, affordability and infrastructure.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.