Lori Berman, Tina Polsky, Nick Sortal back Jayden D’Onofrio for HD 102

Jayden D’Onofrio just notched endorsements from three notable South Florida Democrats in his bid for House District 102 in Broward County.

Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman, Sen. Tina Scott Polsky and Plantation Mayor Nick Sortal are all backing D’Onofrio, the founder of Florida Future Leaders and a former Chair of Florida College Democrats.

Berman, who took over as Senate Democratic Leader last year, said in a statement that she believes D’Onofrio will “be an effective advocate for Broward families from day one and a leader in confronting Florida’s affordability crisis.”

“Jayden combines energy with experience beyond his years,” she said.

“Through Florida Future Leaders, he’s helped elect Democrats up and down the ballot and expanded civic engagement across our state. He knows how to work with people, build consensus, and move policy forward.”

Polsky, who has served in the Legislature since 2018, described D’Onofrio as representing “the next generation of thoughtful, pragmatic Democratic leadership.”

“He understands the affordability crisis facing Florida families and has already demonstrated an ability to help lead the Democratic Party on a real path forward,” she said in a statement. “Jayden will be a strong voice in Tallahassee for public education, reproductive freedom, and common-sense solutions that lower costs.”

Sortal, who is running for a second term as Mayor after leading Plantation in implementing its first millage-rate reduction in seven years, similarly praised D’Onofrio.

“Jayden understands that good government is about partnership — between cities, counties, the state, and most importantly the people,” he said in a statement. “He listens, he does the homework, and he approaches challenges with a practical mindset.”

D’Onofrio entered the race to succeed Democratic Rep. Mike Gottlieb last July after raising and spending more than $1.3 million through Florida Future Leaders, a PAC he founded with other Generation X Democrats to back Democratic candidates and fund campus-based election efforts.

D’Onofrio worked as a Senate page in high school, campaigned with former Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book, and interned with U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Florida Senate Democratic Leader-designate Shevrin Jones.

D’Onofrio also served as Chair of the Florida Democratic Party Youth Council.

He is running for HD 102 — which spans an inland portion of Broward County that includes all or parts of Davie, Plantation and Sunrise — on a platform prioritizing affordability issues, protecting education and building a better future for Floridians.

“I’m honored to have the support of Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman, Senator Polsky, and Mayor Sortal — three leaders who have consistently put people first,” D’Onofrio said in a statement.

“Our district deserves a representative who will focus relentlessly on lowering property insurance costs, addressing housing affordability, strengthening public schools, and driving down auto insurance rates. Pragmatism seems to be in short supply these days; I am running to bring it back to our state.”

D’Onofrio faces dentist Mike Friend in a Democratic Primary. Republicans Mery Lopez-Palma and Jason Smith are also running.