One day after confirming he is considering a run for U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson’s seat, if she is ready to retire, Miami Gardens Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones is canceling his current re-election bid.

Is a congressional run imminent? Jones seemed to hint at it in a video he posted on social media.

“While one chapter of service may be coming to a close in my life,” he said, “I believe another chapter may just be beginning.”

Jones’ decision to drop out of the race for Senate District 34 — which he has represented since Florida’s 2022 redistricting, after two prior years in the Senate and eight years in the House — follows speculation about whether Wilson, 83, will continue to seek a 10th term in Congress.

Jones told Florida Politics on Tuesday that he will support Wilson if she follows through on her current campaign. He said he hadn’t spoken to her about it, as he wanted to give her space to decide.

But if Wilson does decide it’s time to hang up her hat, Jones is ready to step up with the same drive, vision and passion he showed in the Legislature, where he served as House Deputy Democratic Whip, House Deputy Democratic Leader and was in line to lead the Senate Democratic caucus in 2028.

“Our communities (are) demanding leadership that is present, that is accessible, that is fearless, and prepared to meet the moment with urgency right now,” he 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.”

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 Democrats’ most prominent voices in Tallahassee.

He’s also been among the party’s most active and effective lawmakers, despite a GOP supermajority in both chambers of the Legislature, often prioritizing voting rights issues and serving Florida’s underserved and at-risk residents.

Among other things, 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 in his Wednesday video. “I want you all to know that every fight I took on, I carry you all with me.”

Jones said that after “prayer, reflection and honest conversation” with his closest confidants, he decided to drop out of the race for SD 34, which overlaps significantly with CD 24, covering a large portion of northeast Miami-Dade County, including the municipalities of Bay Harbor Islands, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, North Miami, North Miami Beach and Opa-locka.

Through March 31, he raised nearly $255,000 to keep the seat, but spent all but $15,000 of that sum by the end of the first quarter.

And as of Wednesday, no one had filed to run against him.

The post Shevrin Jones announces he won’t run for re-election. Is a congressional bid imminent? appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..