After completing his tenure in the Maryland House of Delegates, Senator J.B. Jennings was elected to the Maryland Senate in 2011. In addition to serving on the Finance Committee, Executive Nominations Committee, Rules Committee, and Spending and Affordability Committee, Senator Jennings is the Minority Leader of the Senate. As the highest ranking Republican in the Senate, Senator Jennings works closely with Governor Hogan and the Republican Party to ensure that Maryland is moving in the right direction.

Senator Jennings grew up in Baltimore County and attended Baltimore County Public Schools. At the age of 16, became a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company (Station 47). After graduating from Dulaney High School, J.B. pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at the University of Baltimore.

J.B. got his start in politics with then-Congressman, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., as an intern and caseworker. He handled a majority of the constituent matters with such passion and resolve that he eventually became a staff assistant. Despite his service as a volunteer firefighter and legislative assistant, J.B. remained committed to his childhood passion of agriculture and local farming. He left his job with Congressman Ehrlich and became co-owner of The Mill of Hereford, a farm feed and supply store. 

His desire to return to politics would come full circle in the summer of 2002. It was during this time that he made the decision to enter the “political ring” as a Republican candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates, 7th Legislative District. He campaigned on the platform of restoring discipline, fiscal responsibility, and integrity in Annapolis. His hard work and sacrifice paid off, and his message resonated with many, winning him a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates. After several years in the House, J.B. ran for Senate in 2011, where he has held the seat ever since.  

In 2008, J.B. decided that he wanted to serve his country in a greater capacity, and at the age of 34 he enlisted in the Air National Guard. He was then sent to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas to attend Military Basic Training (Boot Camp). J.B. currently serves as a loadmaster flying in the Air Forces C-27 Joint-Cargo Aircraft.

Currently, J.B. is taking classes at Johns Hopkins to further his education. When he isn’t wearing his “Senator Hat,” J.B. is the President and CEO of his own cyber-intelligence company, as well as a cybersecurity technician with the National Security Agency. He, and his wife, Michelle, have have two children, J.W. (5) and Kate (3). The Jennings reside at their farm in Joppa, Maryland where Michelle boards horses and care for an array of farm animals. 

J.B. Jennings has dedicated his life to his family, his business, and, most importantly, the citizens of Maryland. The combination of his backgrounds in politics, business, and the military allow him to be an extraordinarily effective leader for all Marylanders.