Jennifer Short is a proven public safety leader and candidate for Jacksonville City Council, At-Large Group 2, whose career has been defined by more than 25 years of service to the people of Jacksonville through the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
After rising through the ranks to become one of the highest-ranking officers within JSO, Jennifer built a reputation for calm, decisive leadership in some of the city’s most challenging and high-pressure situations. Throughout her career, both Sheriff Mike Williams and Sheriff T.K. Waters personally selected Jennifer to serve on their leadership teams — a reflection of the trust they placed in her judgment, professionalism, and ability to deliver results.
Now, Jennifer is running for City Council to bring that same experienced, steady, and results-driven leadership to City Hall.
During her time at JSO, Jennifer led many of the agency’s most critical divisions and operations, including Property Crimes, Traffic Homicide, Auto Theft, Aviation, Canine, DUI Enforcement, and Community Engagement. She managed more than 400 employees and oversaw budgets exceeding $600 million, giving her firsthand experience leading large organizations, managing taxpayer resources responsibly, and solving complex operational challenges.
Jennifer also served as Hostage Negotiator Team Commander, making life-or-death decisions in some of the highest-stress situations imaginable. Whether negotiating with a barricaded suspect, overseeing major investigations, or managing large-scale agency operations, Jennifer earned a reputation for staying calm under pressure and making tough decisions when the stakes were highest. Later, as Director of Police Services, Jennifer managed the operational backbone of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, overseeing communication and information systems, fleet management, public records, and other critical agency functions. Her leadership helped ensure officers had the tools, technology, and support they needed to protect Jacksonville families and keep communities safe.
A graduate of First Coast High School, Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Liberty University. She is a recipient of the Life Saving Award, a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville, and has served on multiple boards and commissions focused on public safety, crime reduction, and community engagement. Jennifer is also a proud mother who raised two children in Jacksonville and understands firsthand the importance of safe neighborhoods, strong communities, and responsible leadership. She is not a career politician — she is a lifelong public servant who has already dedicated decades to serving Jacksonville and is committed to continuing that service on the City Council.