2 more Senators back Richard Lamondin for SD 38

Add Sens. LaVon Bracy Davis of Ocoee and Kristen Arrington of Kissimmee to the growing list of lawmakers backing Democrat Richard Lamondin’s recently launched campaign for Senate District 38.

With their endorsements, Lamondin now has the support of a majority — seven of 12 — of Democrats in the Senate.

Bracy Davis, a lawyer who served for three years in the House before winning her Senate seat in 2025, noted that she’s far from liberal with endorsements.

“I don’t endorse lightly. But I trust Richard is in this for the right reasons,” she said in a statement.

“I trust that he shares my resolve to make every Floridian’s life better and will fight hard for the families of South Florida. He has my full support and I am excited to have him join our caucus when he wins.”

Arrington cited Lamondin’s residential, community and business bona fides in her endorsement message.

“A proud Miami-Dade native, Richard understands the unique needs of his community because he’s lived them. As a successful entrepreneur, he knows what it takes to create jobs, grow our local economy, and bring innovative solutions to Tallahassee. And as a fluent Spanish speaker, he is able to connect directly with and represent the diverse voices that make our region so vibrant,” she said in a statement.

“We need fresh leadership in Tallahassee — and he’s the right person to help us flip this seat and move Florida forward.”

The nods from Bracy Davis and Arrington join others from Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman, Senate Democratic Leaders-designate Tracie Davis and Shevrin Jones, Sens. Mack Bernard and Tina Scott Polsky, and a slew of other current and former elected Democrats from Miami-Dade County, including Miami Beach Commissioners Tanya Katzoff Bhatt and Monica Matteo-Salinas.

Lamondin, who co-founded and leads the sustainable finance firm ecofi, said in a statement that he’s grateful for the added support.

“Senators who understand what’s at stake in SD 38 and are stepping up,” he said. “I’m especially thankful to Senators Bracy Davis and Arrington for the trust they have placed in our campaign. I don’t take that lightly, and I intend to keep earning it every day from now until November.”

Lamondin pivoted from a campaign for Florida’s 27th Congressional District last week to running for SD 38, which covers several coastal Miami-Dade municipalities, including Cutler Bay, Key Biscayne, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami, parts of Homestead, Coral Gables and Miami, and the unincorporated neighborhoods of Goulds, Kendall, Perrine, Redland, Sunset and Westchester.

The district, which has alternated between Democratic and Republican representation for the past decade, is viewed as one of the most competitive in the state.

Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud has represented SD 38 since 2022.

Democrat Henly Dixon and independent Jeffrey Solomon are also in the race.

The Primary is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.