The Sunshine State’s largest political committee dedicated to advocating for the LGBTQ community and electing candidates who champion those causes is backing state Sen. Shevrin Jones’ bid for Florida’s 24th Congressional District.
Equality Florida Action PAC is endorsing Jones in the Democratic Primary for CD 24, calling his candidacy a historic opportunity to elect Florida’s first openly LGBTQ member of Congress.
“The nation is hungry for elected leaders in Washington with the courage to speak out boldly against the scourge of extremism from the Trump administration, leaders who will use every ounce of their power to fight for the people,” Equality Florida Executive Director Stratton Pollitzer said.
“Shevrin Jones is — and always has been — a leader with those qualities and more. He has spent his career showing an unwavering commitment to the fight for dignity, equality, and freedom for every Floridian. This endorsement reflects both his proven record of standing with our community and the historic opportunity before us. LGBTQ people are under relentless attack.”
Pollitzer said anti-democratic forces have used LGBTQ people and their causes as a “wedge” to divide Americans.
“Electing a champion like Shevrin Jones to Congress would send an unmistakable message: the vibrant, dynamic communities of Florida that have too often been used as political pawns demand a seat at the table,” he said.
The Equality Florida Action PAC endorsement, announced Wednesday, adds to nods from 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, NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the Miami AFL-CIO, United Teachers of Dade, 314 Action, Equality PAC and LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, among others.
“I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of Equality Florida Action PAC,” Jones said. “Throughout my career in the Florida Legislature, I have fought tirelessly to protect the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ Floridians, and I will bring that same unwavering commitment to Congress.”
Jones, 42, is no stranger to breaking barriers. 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.
Equality Florida has previously honored him with its Voice for Equality Award.
A Miami Gardens native and former teacher, Jones has served in Florida’s Legislature since 2012, championing criminal justice reform, LGBTQ rights and reproductive justice while opposing anti-immigrant policies.
During the recent Legislative Session, he championed the “Teddy Bridgewater Act” to protect coaches from penalties for financially supporting student athletes’ basic needs.
Jones is one of seven Democrats running to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson in CD 24. The district 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 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.