Jake Johansson, a retired U.S. Navy Captain and former Port Orange City Manager, has received the endorsement of the Florida Chamber of Commerce for his campaign in Senate District 8 for the 2026 election. Johansson’s career includes 35 years of military service and work in local government, including as a member of the Volusia County Council. He has focused on supporting families, businesses, and the broader community.
Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Florida Chamber of Commerce is pleased to endorse Jake Johansson as Senate District 8’s next state senator. Having served with distinction in the U.S. Navy and more recently as a locally elected official, we are confident in Jake’s commitment to the free market and look forward to working alongside him to make Florida even more competitive as we continue to grow towards becoming the 10th largest economy in the world.”
Johansson responded: “As a small business owner and veteran, I know free enterprise is worth defending, whether on battlefields abroad or within government at home. Given the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s track record of fighting for jobs and equal opportunity for earned success for all Floridians, I am humbled to receive their endorsement and look forward to working with them and the job creators they represent in the Florida Senate to continue Florida’s economic momentum.”
Senate District 8 is located in Volusia County and is considered a solid Republican district according to the Florida Chamber’s Partisan Performance Index. Both Donald Trump in 2024 and Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022 won over 60 percent of votes there. The Chamber will use its political experience to support Johansson’s campaign.
