Shevrin Jones to launch CD 24 campaign in Pembroke Pines

Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones is officially in the race for Florida’s 24th Congressional District, and he’s launching his bid next week at his parents’ church in Pembroke Pines.

Jones, one of the Florida Democratic Party’s most prominent state figures, has filed paperwork to run for CD 24, where he hopes to succeed retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson.

He’ll start in earnest this coming Tuesday evening with a “special community announcement” at the Koinonia Worship Center, which his pastor father, Eric Jones — who served as West Park Mayor from 2005 to 2020 — founded with his mother, Bloneva.

“The future is OURS to build,” he said in a text invitation to the event, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

“I look forward to seeing you there.”

Jones, who made history as the first openly gay person elected to the Florida Senate and could do so again as the state’s first LGBTQ member of Congress, has been one of the Democratic Party’s most active and effective lawmakers, despite a GOP supermajority in both chambers of the Legislature.

An education professional, he won election to the Florida House in 2012, serving four consecutive terms, before winning his Senate District 34 seat in 2020, which at the time included parts of south Broward County like West Park and Pembroke Pines, before redistricting made it exclusive to Miami-Dade County.

Jones was on track to lead his party in the chamber in 2028 before announcing he would not seek re-election this year.

He passed legislation like the “Dignity for Incarcerated Women” act to mandate minimum hygiene provisions for female prisoners, a “blue envelope” program to improve police interactions with people on the autism spectrum, the “Teddy Bridgewater Act” to allow coaches and boosters to better help students, and expanded aid eligibility for students with developmental delays.

He also spoke out against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new congressional maps, fought for changes to prevent President Donald Trump from profiting off a Palm Beach airport renaming, led multiple voter-mobilization initiatives and led the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party ahead of the 2024 election.

“There were moments I had to stand toe-to-toe with some of the most powerful people in this state — not for headlines, not for politics, but because I knew what was at stake for everyday people,” Jones said Wednesday in a video announcing his Senate departure. “I want you all to know that every fight I took on, I carry you all with me.”

On Tuesday, he delivered a brief speech on the Senate floor, addressing his peers, acknowledging his efforts in the chamber and appreciating his impact on the state.

“I’ve always said that I never wanted anything out of the deal, and I still don’t. It’s just been a pleasure to serve people. I’m just a normal guy who was a teacher, who came into this process because I was upset with the system and … had the opportunity to meet a great deal of people, a great deal of friends,” he said.

“Now I know, when I travel the state of Florida, I have friends all over the state. And while I might not be here in this building, it’s my hope, after Aug. 18, that you can visit me somewhere else — maybe in Washington, D.C.”

CD 24, as redrawn under a mid-decade redistricting plan drafted by DeSantis’ Office, passed by the Legislature in late April, and signed in early May, covers Miami Gardens in Miami-Dade, and Hollywood, Miramar and Pembroke Pines in Broward County.

More than 68.7% of voters there backed Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024, making it a safe Democratic seat. The district is 47.7% Black and 40.9% Hispanic in its voting age population, and a Democratic Primary will almost certainly determine who goes to Congress.

Jones is on track to face at least three Primary opponents: Rudy Moise, former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime, and business owner Christine Sanon-Jules.

Republican Patricia Gonzalez and independent Andy Daro are also running.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, a Democrat and former Mayor of Miami Gardens, is rumored to be mulling a bid too.

The qualifying deadline is June 12.

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