BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Chase Brannan, a resident of north central Florida, has officially announced his candidacy for state representative in District 10. The district includes Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Union, and the northern portion of Alachua County. The seat is currently held by his father, Rep. Chuck Brannan, who will reach his term limit in 2026
In his announcement, Brannan highlighted his strong ties to the region and his background in public service.
“My family history extends eight generations deep in Florida, especially in North Central Florida,” he said. “Because of the conservative principles instilled in me since childhood, I understand the value of community work and service to others.”
Brannan said his campaign would focus on advocating for conservative values and working to ensure that government serves the needs of District 10 residents. “I will always fight to ensure the government serves the people,” he stated. “I strive to bring accessibility, conservative and rural values, and fairness to the citizens of North Central Florida.”
Raised in Baker County, Brannan said he worked on the family farm, raising cattle for livestock shows and the market. His family has a history of public service. His grandfather served as a state trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol and as a deputy in the local sheriff’s office. His father has over 30 years of law enforcement experience with the U.S. Marshal’s Service and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. Brannan’s mother was an educator and elementary school principal before she passed, and his stepmother is a career prosecutor and former county judge.
“My family’s legacy of public service is something I hold dear,” Brannan said.
Brannan earned an Associate of Arts degree from Florida Gateway College, where he served as Student Body Senate President. He later transferred to the University of Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in agricultural education and communication, with a minor in sales and management in agribusiness. While at UF, Brannan was involved in student government, serving as a senator on the Budget Committee, where he helped oversee a $22 million budget.
He received several academic and leadership awards at the University of Florida, including the J. Wayne Reitz Scholar designation and the Sharon Connell Outstanding Service Award. He was also selected as a Florida Gubernatorial Fellow for the 2020-2021 term, where he worked at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping Florida businesses navigate the challenges of the pandemic. For his efforts, he received the Governor’s Fellowship Award for Outstanding Leadership.
Brannan’s political experience includes working for the executive office of Gov. Ron DeSantis in Washington, D.C., on federal relations. He also worked on DeSantis’ reelection campaign in 2022 as a regional field director. Following the campaign, Brannan joined Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis’ reelection campaign as political director before transitioning to a role as director of intergovernmental affairs.
In addition to his political and professional experience, Brannan said he is a cattleman, a real estate business owner, and an active member of several organizations, including the Florida Farm Bureau, the National Rifle Association, and the Gator Club. He is also the president-elect of an area Gator Club.
Brannan said he is a lifelong conservative and expressed support for both Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump.
“I believe that with the right leadership and practical experience, we can make North Central Florida a place we can all be proud of for future generations,” Brannan said. “I seek this office with an open mind to hear the issues of this district and strive to serve all my constituents.”
Maintaining the region’s rural way of life, preserving natural resources and addressing issues that impact local residents are all important to his campaign, he said.
