Betty Ferguson, Barbara Jordan endorse ‘proven leader’ Shevrin Jones for CD 24

Two former Miami-Dade County Commissioners are endorsing state Sen. Shevrin Jones in the Democratic Primary for Florida’s 24th Congressional District — a notable move, as they preceded one of Jones’ rivals on the Commission.

Former Miami-Dade Commissioners Betty Ferguson and Barbara Jordan are backing Jones over Oliver Gilbert, who holds the District 1 seat on the Commission.

Ferguson, who served from 1993 to 2004 and was instrumental in incorporating the city of Miami Gardens, where Gilbert previously served as Mayor, said she knows all the candidates personally and believes Jones is best suited for federal policymaking.

“Shevrin Jones has spent his career fighting for the people of South Florida, and I know he’ll bring that same dedication and passion to Congress,” she said.

“He’s a proven leader who shows up, listens, and gets things done for the people he serves. Our communities deserve a strong, effective voice in Washington, and Shevrin Jones is the leader we can count on in this moment.”

Jordan, who succeeded Ferguson, serving on the County Commission from 2004 to 2020, said that while Jones has delivered life-changing results for his constituents, Gilbert broke a commitment to voters about prioritizing their interests over special interests, without saying more.

“Congress has enough people whose word doesn’t hold up,” she said. “While some ‘leaders’ say one thing and do another, Shevrin doesn’t just talk about change — he makes it happen and brings the fresh perspective Congress sorely needs these days.”

Jones called the new endorsements, which come one day after Democratic U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York threw his support behind his campaign, an honor.

“I have looked up to them both for many years as they put the people first at every turn — not petty political games,” he said. “I’m running for Congress to continue their legacy of service on behalf of South Florida, lower costs, protect our rights, and deliver the relief people deserve.”

Jones launched his campaign to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson last week at his family’s church in Pembroke Park, calling for a “new generation of leadership” to take on “out-of-touch politicians in Washington (who) put themselves and their wealthy donors first.”

CD 24 covers Miami Gardens in Miami-Dade and Hollywood, Miramar and Pembroke Park in Broward County. More than 68.7% of voters there backed former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, making the Democratic Primary the race that will effectively determine who succeeds retiring U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson.

Six other Democrats have qualified for the contest: Gilbert, cultural leader Marshall Davis, physician and veteran Rudy Moise, former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime, civil rights lawyer Roderick Vereen, and lawyer Kendrick Meeks, the son and grandson of two former members of Congress.

On the Republican side, there’s Te Mayonna Brown — a self-described real estate developer and “pro-MAGA, pro-Constitution conservative” whose campaign website says she lives in Tampa. Her filings with the state list an Aventura address.

Rounding out the ballot are no-party candidate Andy Daro, a sitting North Bay Village Commissioner and real estate pro, and write-in candidate Patricia Gonzalez, who Federal Election Commission records show also ran in the 2022 and 2024 election cycles.

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