who the locals are

Abby Stafford is a CPA by trade. By day, she helps run her family’s commercial tire business (third generation!); by night, as a financial coach she helps individuals and couples develop customized financial game plans to track their spending, pay off debt, build savings and ultimately, wealth. 

Abby initially became involved in local politics due to the Covid-19 policies enacted in 2020 in South Florida. Seeing how small businesses were forced to restrict or shut down - even seeing some of her coaching clients struggle through this season - she knew she had to try to get involved and make a difference. She and seven other new friends founded Locals for Liberty, which seeks to educate and inspire others to get involved in local politics. 

Through the group, Abby came to sign up with the Broward Republican Executive Committee as a precinct committeewoman, learning to talk to her neighbors and keep them informed about upcoming elections. In early 2022, she threw her hat into the ring and ran for city commission in her town. While unsuccessful against an incumbent, she continues to stay involved, sitting on two boards/committees in town, and plans to try for commission again in 2024. She was also elected treasurer of the Broward GOP in December 2022.

 Josie has been a Palm Beach County resident since the age of 5, born in Colorado and raised in the greater Boca Raton area. She was homeschooled from the age of 10 through high school. She graduated high school and moved to Israel to serve in the Israeli Defense Force. After a two-year term in the army as a hummer driver in field training operations and 5 years total living in Israel, Josie returned back to the USA. She met and married her husband, Nick, and they just celebrated their 11 year anniversary. They have three children ranging in ages 5-9. Josie’s professional career encompasses many things such as retail sales, technology sales and marketing, medical assisting, and more. Josie was always politically aware and raised in a very politically conservative and active family. Josie even voted using absentee ballots even when living overseas. However, it took the tyranny of COVID lockdowns to push Josie to get more involved on the local level. Since 2020 Josie ran for local office, joined the PBREC, joined and is on the leadership team of Local’s for Liberty, and campaign managed Marci Woodward’s successful bid for the Board of County Commissioners. Josie worked for Commissioner Woodward to help get her settled into her new role and is currently looking towards the 2024 campaign season. She also teaches Hebrew to children, volunteers in her synagogue, and now co-hosts to the We The Local’s Podcast. Josie is passionate about the things she believes in and hopes that through this podcast she will be able to share a little of that passion with the community.  

Jessica Jansen, born and raised in Michigan, has been a resident of Palm Beach County for over 16 years. She has spent most of her career as a Bookkeeper and Office Manager, managing various industries including medical and chiropractic offices. This experience has made her versatile and given her a deep understanding of the needs of local businesses. For the past 10 years, Jessica has been dedicated to observing human behavior and engaging in personal development and spiritual work to heal her own trauma. She is trained in several healing modalities and is a Reiki Master and Teacher. As a Certified Life Coach, she has used her life experiences to help many clients.

Jessica's involvement in local politics began during the Covid pandemic and the 2020 election. She questioned the policies and actions of local and federal governments at the start of the pandemic, leveraging her strong medical and health background to conduct her own research. This led her to realize the power of local government, prompting her to get involved. She started as a Precinct Committee Woman for the Palm Beach County Republican Executive Committee, where she met other local residents with similar views. Together, they quickly mobilized and became active in the community.  Jessica was elected as Regional Director for South County within the Republican Executive Committee in 2023. She works diligently with her Republican neighbors and friends to support and elect great conservative candidates.