Major healthcare union backs ‘battle-tested’ Shevrin Jones in competitive CD 24 race

A major healthcare workers’ union is backing state Sen. Shevrin Jones’ campaign in Florida’s 24th Congressional District, where he hopes to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson.

1199SEIU Florida, which represents more than 25,000 healthcare employees in hospitals and nursing homes throughout the state, is endorsing Jones based on his track record of fighting for working families and expanding healthcare access.

“South Florida is ground zero for the affordability crisis and so many other serious issues facing working families in our state, and we need a dedicated champion like Shevrin Jones standing up for us in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a state Senator and Representative in Tallahassee for almost 15 years, he’s battle-tested in the fight for everyday Floridians while greedy billionaires and big business use their connections to cheat the system,” said Coy Jones, Political Director of 1199SEIU Florida.

“In Washington, D.C., he’ll find solutions to deliver affordable housing and healthcare, safe communities, good jobs and so much more, while working to end attacks on our communities at home and pointless wars abroad. Our members of 1199SEIU, the largest union of healthcare workers in the state, enthusiastically endorse Shevrin Jones for U.S. Congress.”

The 1199SEIU nod adds to endorsements Jones has received in the CD 24 contest from the Miami AFL-CIO, United Teachers of Dade, 314 Action, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Equality Florida Action Inc., among others.

Public figures 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 and NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

“I’m honored to have the support of 1199SEIU and the hardworking men and women they represent,” Jones said.

“South Florida families are the backbone of our economy, and they deserve a voice in DC that fights for fair wages, high-quality, universal healthcare, housing people can actually afford, and the dignity of a good union job. This endorsement isn’t just words — it’s a partnership, and I will always center working people in every decision when we get to Congress.”

Jones, 42, is a Miami Gardens Democrat and former teacher who has served in the state Legislature for nearly 14 years. He is Florida’s first openly LGBTQ state Senator and the first openly LGBTQ Black member of the Legislature.

Earlier this year, Florida Senate Democrats elected him Democratic Leader-elect, making him Florida’s first openly LGBTQ Senate Democratic Leader.

He is one of seven Democrats running in CD 24, 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 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 the CD 24 contest is a two-candidate race, with Jones and Gilbert neck-and-neck among likely Primary voters.

Republican Te Mayonna Brown, independent North Bay Village Commissioner Andy Daro and write-in candidate Patricia Gonzalez are also running.

With more than 68.7% of voters backing Kamala Harris in 2024, the Democratic Primary winner is a likely shoo-in in the Nov. 3 General Election.

The Primary is Aug. 18.