User:ScottyMonroe/Jeff Clemens

Jeff Clemens Jeff Clemens is a State Representative (D-Lake Worth) serving Florida House District 89, which includes portions of West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Beach, Lantana, Greenacres, Palm Springs, South Palm Beach, Hypoluxo, Boynton Beach, Glen Ridge, Cloud Lake and unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County. Prior to his election to the State House, he served as the Mayor of the City of Lake Worth.

Election to State House

In April 2009, Clemens announced that he would not seek re-election as Mayor of Lake Worth, instead choosing to run for the State House seat being vacated by term-limited State Rep. Mary Brandenburg. Clemens was challenged by Pete Brandenburg, the incumbent's husband.

In August 2010, Clemens handily beat Pete Brandenburg in the Democratic Primary 2,628-1,755 (59.96% to 40.04%). In November 2010, Clemens soundly defeated Republican Steven Rosenblum in the General Election 14,609-9,538 (60.50% to 39.50%).

Mayor (March 2007-November 2009)

Shortly after taking office, Clemens helped pushed through an ordinance establishing Lake Worth as one of the first communities in Palm Beach County to include transgender as a protected class. He also championed the private-public partnership between the city and Compass, the county's Gay/Lesbian community outreach group, that led to Compass establishing its home in the City of Lake Worth.

Along with City Commissioner Dave Vespo, Clemens fought for the city's police merger with the Palm beach COunty Sheriff's Office. This move resulted in more police officers on the street and a drop in violent crime during Clemens' term, although some commissioners have felt the move is too expensive.

Other accomplishments during Clemens term include a deal to bring an art deco Publix grocery store to downtown, luring the Palm Beach County Cultural Council headquarters to downtown, rebuilding six city parks, and the first unanimous commission vote on a city beach plan in the past 20 years. Clemens was also the mayor when the city, CRA and various non-profits combined to apply for Neighborhood Stabilization Fund II grant money for rehabilitating foreclosed and abandoned property. The city was one of only seven entities in the State of Florida to receive the grant when it was awarded $23 million shortly after Clemens left office.

Prior to running for office Clemens graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. He worked at several newspapers before ending up at the Naples Daily News in 1997, where he won six state writing awards in his three years at the newspaper.

Clemens also served as President of the College Park Homeowners' Association in 2004, and chaired the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency from 2004-2007. He was President of the Lake Worth Kiwanis Club in 2005, and served as Kiwanis Lt. Governor for Division 21 from 2007-08.