Democratic Hispanic Caucus, Teddy Bridgewater back Shevrin Jones in CD 24 race

Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones is adding celebrity backing and more organizational support to his congressional campaign, with new endorsements from the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida and NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

The Democratic Hispanic Caucus announced its “carefully made” endorsement of Jones this week, recognizing Jones’ record supporting and engagement with Latino communities.

“The Hispanic community is not a monolith. We are as diverse as the over 20 countries we represent. Each with our own histories, cultures, and priorities. What unites us is a desire for leaders who see us, who will fight to improve the economy, healthcare, education, immigration reform, and our right to fully participate in our democracy,” said Maca Iglesias, the organization’s State President.

“For all these reasons, Shevrin Jones has earned our trust as such a leader. We look forward to standing behind him throughout this election cycle and doing all we can to help support his victory and get him through the finish line.”

Bridgewater, a Miami native and former Miami Northwestern High School football coach, also endorsed Jones in a video, praising Jones’ consistency and compassion. This year, Jones passed the “Teddy Bridgewater Act,” which protects coaches from penalties for financially supporting student athletes’ basic needs.

“When you think of politicians, we usually think they don’t really have a heart, and they don’t really care for other people. Sen. Jones has the heart,” Bridgewater said. “I’m proud to be with Shev because he shows up, listens, and is the effective, new generation of leadership we need in Congress.”

In separate statements, Jones thanked both of his latest endorsers, calling Bridgewater a “Miami legend” whose support “means everything” to him and saying he is “honored and humbled” to have the Democratic Hispanic Caucus behind him.

Others backing Jones include U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York, Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar, West Park Mayor Felicia Brunson, Pembroke Pines Mayor Angelo Castillo, Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy, former Miami-Dade Commissioners Betty Ferguson and Barbara Jordan, the Miami AFL-CIO, United Teachers of Dade, 314 Action, Equality PAC and LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, among others.

Jones is one of seven Democrats running to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson in Florida’s 24th Congressional District, which covers all or part of Aventura, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Biscayne Park, El Portal, Golden Beach, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami Shores Village, North Bay Village, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-locka, Sunny Isles Beach and Surfside in Miami-Dade County and Hollywood, Miramar, Pembroke Park, Pembroke Pines and West Park in Broward County.

His six Primary opponents include cultural leader Marshall Davis, Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, physician and veteran Rudy Moise, former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime, civil rights lawyer Roderick Vereen, and lawyer Kendrick Meek, the son and grandson of two former members of Congress.

Recent polling shows a tight, two-man race between Jones and Gilbert, with Jones at 24% and Gilbert at 27% — within the poll’s 5.6-point margin of error. No other candidate exceeds 10%, though Meek was near that threshold.

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.