Background
Adkins was born in Jacksonville, and attended Trinity Christian Academy, where she graduated as valedictorian in 1983.
Adkins was born in Jacksonville, and attended Trinity Christian Academy, where she graduated as valedictorian in 1983.
Following this, she attended Florida State College at Jacksonville, where she received an associate degree in 1985, and the University of North Florida, receiving a bachelor degree in computer information science in 1987 and a Master of Business Administration in 1990.
Adkins then worked for Information Systems of Florida as an information technology specialist, eventually becoming a client partner at the firm. She was elected to the Nassau County School Board in 1998, and served there until she ran for the legislature in 2008. When incumbent State Representative Aaron Bean was unable to seek re-election in 2008, Adkins ran to succeed him in District 12, which included Baker County, Nassau County, Union County, and parts of Bradford County, Clay County, and Duval County.
Adkins was re-elected entirely uncontested in 2010, as well.
Following the reconfiguration of districts in 2012, Adkins was moved into the 11th District, which contained her home in Nassau County, and gave up its reach into the Florida Panhandle in exchange for a large section of Duval County, stretching south to Jacksonville Beach. In the Republican primary, she was opposed by attorney Cord Byrd.
In the general election, she faced Democratic nominee Dave Smith and a write-in candidate. In a private gathering at a Republican Party of Florida quarterly meeting, state Republican
Janet Adkins told a group of North Florida Grand Old Party activists that the key to defeating Corrine Brown, a black Jacksonville Democrat, is boosting the number of black prisoners in her district.
“You draw in such a fashion so perhaps, a majority, or maybe not a majority, but a number of them will live in the prisons, thereby not being able to vote,” said Adkins, a Nassau County Republican, referring to black residents. Adkins later offered a brief apology for her comments: “My comments regarding the proposed realignment of congressional district five (as recommended by the Florida Supreme Court) were an attempt to explain some of issues that came up in debate during the redistricting special session,” Adkins wrote. “I apologize if my statements offended anyone.
Because congressional redistricting is a pending legal issue, I will not comment on this matter any further.”.
Member Nassau County School Board, 1998—2008, Nassau County Planning & Zoning Board, 2002—2005, Amelia Island Council, since 2004, Citizen's Budget Policy Reform Committee, 2005, Republican Party Florida Rules Committee, 2007, Fernandina Beach Underground Utility Task Force, 2007—2008. Volunteer Boys & Girls Club Brick Campaign, 2005, Southside Elementary School, 2005—2006, Atlantic Elementary School, 2006—2007, Girl Scout Gateway Council, 2007. Advisory board Micah's Place, 2002.
Secretary Nassau County Drug, Alcohol & Crime Coalition, since 2006. Co-chairman Bush & Cheney Campaign, 2003—2004. Member of National Rifle Association, Nassau Federated Republican Women (first vice president 1999—2001), Nassau County Community Alliance (chairman since 2006), Daughters American Revolution Amelia Island Chapter, Rotary International, Fernandina Beach Rotary Club.
Married Doug Adkins; children: Emily, Douglas.