Jordan Hensley, a Democrat from Port Richey, is running for Florida State Senate District 21 in the Nov. 3 election to fill the rest of an unexpired term. He faces Republican Christopher M. Nocco.

Hensley, a bartender at the historic Fenway Hotel in Dunedin, said in our candidate questionnaire: "… When I realized that no one else had registered to run against the sheriff, I decided that this race was exactly the right one for me. … I intend to represent the Floridians who are struggling and want a voice who understands their needs."

Candidate information

Party: "Democratic," Hensley said in our questionnaire.

Family: "My wife Hannah and I live in Port Richey with our dog Chewie. I have two sisters who live in the Cincinnati area with their husbands and our eight nieces and nephews. My father lives in Kentucky, and my mother passed away a few years ago in New Port Richey. My in-laws live in Largo …"

Education: "I have a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, with a minor in communications/media. I graduated from Mount Union College (now University of Mount Union) in my hometown of Alliance, Ohio, in 2008."

Previous elected office: "None. I'm a first timer in the political landscape."

Experience and public service

Occupation and work history: "Currently I am a bartender at the historic Fenway Hotel in Dunedin. Before this, I was a bartender/ manager for Barfly Saltwater Grille in Safety Harbor. And prior to that I did the same at Smokey Bones in Clearwater. I've been in the service industry for almost 15 years, since before I moved to Florida in 2013. …"

Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Hensley said: "… My abilities to multitask, prioritize, see a job through from beginning to end, know when to ask for help … will all help me …"

On the issues

Asked how his service-industry background shapes his view of what District 21 families need, Hensley said: "… I have friends who have had to move out of their homes due to flooding, people who spent a year fighting against their insurance companies for repairs … coworkers who can't afford to go to the doctor's office. … I don't claim to know what everyone needs, nobody can be an expert in everything. But I will claim that I can relate to what a lot of my friends and neighbors are going through …"

On his path to winning in a historically Republican district, Hensley said: "… My hope is that the voters will understand that this isn't a campaign of republican vs. democrat. This is about the working class against the upper class. …"

Asked about critical differences with his opponent, Hensley said: "… My opponent is the Pasco County Sheriff. He was appointed to that role in 2011 by Rick Scott, and has held that job ever since." He contrasted himself: "… I am a clean slate in politics, with no corporate backers. … I am a member of the working class in this district and hope to represent the many constituents like me."

This is Hensley's first campaign.

According to his campaign website, he lists public schools, Medicaid expansion, living wages, property insurance reform, affordable housing and Gulf Coast environmental protection as key issues. He also signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge, committing to support a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of Congress, according to U.S. Term Limits.