State Sen. Shevrin Jones has his eyes on a seat in Congress as soon as U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson says she’s ready to retire.

“I have been humbled by the encouragement I receive from people across the district who want to see bold leadership for the future,” he said.

“For me it has never been about the political titles. It has been about what I have done and what I can do for this district in protecting that representation and making sure that our communities are not left behind in what I believe is probably one of the most consequential moments we see in a generation.”

The Miami Gardens Democrat spoke to Florida Politics about a potential run in Florida’s 24th Congressional District. He discussed the prospect amid high-pitch speculation about whether Wilson, at age 83, will run for a 10th term. Should she run for re-election, Jones said he would support her.

Jones made clear will not challenge the incumbent in a Primary and wants her to make any announcement about her future on her own timetable.

“I have not spoken with the Congresswoman about her timeline,” Jones said. “I’m going to make sure I give her that space to be able to make that whatever announcement she chooses to make in whatever way that she wants. I respect her decades of service.”

Jones first won election to his seat in the Florida Senate in 2020. Before that, he served eight years in the Florida House.

Last year, Jones had been considered a potential candidate for Governor. But he endorsed former U.S. Rep. David Jolly for the Democratic nomination in March. Jones has since focused on the legislative branch at the state and federal level.

Jones is in line to lead the Senate Democratic caucus in 2028 if he remains in the chamber. He would have to give up that prospect to run for Congress. But he sees an opportunity to serve South Florida long term with a move toward Washington.

“It will still give me the opportunity to expand leadership in Florida in a different way,” Jones said. “Again, it doesn’t stop me from being able to not just help, but also to be an intricate part in making sure that we’re building Florida in a way that people recognize — as Florida for who we are and not for the craziness of what is not happening, as we’ve seen since I’ve been in the Legislature for these past 13 years.”

He promised that if voters do elect him to serve in Congress, he will be an active and present part of discussions on the Hill.

“Our communities, I think they’re demanding leadership that is present, that is accessible, that is fearless, and prepared to meet the moment with urgency right now,” Jones said.

“People are worried about the many attacks that we see are happening, whether it’s voting rights, whether it’s the rising costs, whether it’s housing affordability, healthcare, whether it’s public education, and whether those voices are truly being heard in Washington.”

Recently, Jones has spoken out against a new congressional map, supposedly drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Office to be “race neutral.” Jones raised alarms about a potential diminishment of Black representation in Washington.

He notes now that Wilson is the only member of Congress representing a plurality Black district in Florida since the resignation of indicted ex-U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. Jones has also criticized a decision by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a White Democrat, to run in Cherfilus-McCormick’s district under the new map. He insisted he still counts Wasserman Schultz as a friend.

“I want to make sure I push back on this narrative of people saying, ‘Oh, does this mean that a White person can’t represent Black people?’ That’s not what I’m saying,” he said. “I’m not subscribing to that, nor the name calling, and all the things that are doing with Debbie. My consistent approach would be ensuring that we protect Black representation and Black power

Under the new map, CD 24 remains a majority minority seat, 47.7% Black and 40.9% Hispanic, the highest minority population of any district under the cartography. It’s also still a reliably Democratic seat, with more than 68.7% of voters under the new lines supporting Democrat Kamala Harris for President in 2024 even as Republican Donald Trump won statewide.

Of note, Jones, if elected, would also be Florida’s first openly gay U.S. Representative. He came out while serving in the Florida House, before becoming the first LGBTQ member of the Florida Senate.

“Florida is ready for it,” he said. “I think people are ready for good leadership. I think people are ready for good governance. I think people are looking and are ready for people who will fight on their behalf and fight hard, especially right now.”

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