Four days after filing paperwork to run, Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones has launched a campaign for Florida’s 24th Congressional District.

Jones made it official Monday evening at Koinonia Worship Center in Pembroke Pines, the church his parents founded, kicking off a race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson.

“While out-of-touch politicians in Washington put themselves and their wealthy donors first, people here at home are working harder than ever and still just barely getting by,” Jones said in a statement.

“This moment calls for a new generation of leadership focused on lowering costs, taking on corruption, and fighting for South Florida.”

In a campaign video shared with Florida Politics, Jones pitched his campaign as built on kitchen-table issues and economic anxieties, critiquing Washington’s disconnection from the daily struggles of working families.

“Groceries and gas costs keep rising. Rent is too high. Healthcare bills are literally bankrupting families. People are working harder than ever and still just barely getting by,” he said. “Politicians in Washington don’t see us. They’re more focused on themselves and their wealthy donors than our families.”

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 Park, 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.

During Barack Obama’s administration, Jones served on the President’s College Promise Task Force. Under Joe Biden, he served on the President’s HBCU Board of Advisors.

“Our community deserves someone who understands our struggles, shares our values and wakes up every day focused on lowering costs and creating opportunities for everyday people. That’s why I’ve always fought for this community,” Jones said in the video. “In the state House and Senate, I took on MAGA extremists in Tallahassee. I (fought to block) Trump from lining his pockets with our money. And I’m taking that same fight to Congress.”

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 Park 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 four Primary opponents: Miami-Dade Commissioner and former Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert; 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.

The qualifying deadline is June 12.

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

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