Jennifer Andress Seeks Homewood Mayor Position

Jennifer Andress, a two-term City Councilor representing Ward 5 in Homewood, is running for Mayor of the Over-The-Mountain City. At her campaign launch, Andress emphasized her years of experience, her deep ties to the community, and a practical approach to leadership as Homewood prepares to shift to a new Council–City Manager form of government this fall. “Homewood is entering a new chapter,” she said. “I’m ready to run! With important decisions ahead and a new form of government taking shape, we need steady leadership, practical experience, and someone who’s ready to get to work on day one.”

Andress has served on the City Council since 2016 and is widely known for her hands-on, detail-oriented style of governance. A longtime community advocate, she and her husband Keith have raised their two sons in Homewood, a City she describes as central to her family’s life and values. Her campaign messaging centers on public service, and her track record reflects a steady focus on building partnerships, expanding city resources, and responding to resident concerns.

A key part of Andress’s message is collaboration. “Leadership doesn’t stop at city limits,” she said. “We’ve achieved more by working together with our neighbors, and I’ll continue to bring that spirit of cooperation to the mayor’s office.” During her time on the council, she has built regional partnerships through multi-city initiatives and serves as chair of the Jefferson County Greenways Commission. In her professional role as Director of External Affairs for the Freshwater Land Trust, she works to expand trails, protect natural spaces, and connect communities throughout the county.

Her campaign platform focuses on four main areas: strengthening public safety, supporting Homewood’s nationally ranked schools, preserving parks and neighborhoods, and promoting transparency in local government. Andress has stated she will prioritize expanding communication through newsletters, public meetings, and digital outreach—tools she believes are essential to earning public trust.

Andress is also a vocal supporter of the City’s new structure. Under the updated government plan, Homewood will operate with four Council Wards instead of five and be led administratively by a full-time City Manager. Andress said she fully supports keeping Glen Adams in the City Manager role, describing him as a strong and effective leader who is respected by both staff and residents. “He is our first City Manager, and the staff loves working with him,” she said. “He is collaborative and thorough and a joy to work with.”

Andress insists the campaign is about service. “I’ve been in the meetings, on the trails, in the neighborhoods and out doing the work,” she said. “This isn’t about politics—it’s about service. And I have the energy, the drive, and the experience to lead Homewood into its next chapter. This will be a new way to be Homewood’s Mayor and it is what our community deserves.”

Andres’s will face Robin Litaker in the municipal election on August 26, 2025. The last day to register to vote in Homewood’s municiple election is August 12. Information on how to register is available HERE.

For more information on Andres, visit her campaign website, jen4hwd.com, or follow her on social media.