ABOVE: State Rep. Shevrin Jones, photo via Jones’ Facebook page.
MIAMI | State Rep. Shevrin Jones will likely become Florida’s first openly gay state senator this November, having defeated five opponents Aug. 18 in the race to represent Senate District 35 (SD-35).
According to unofficial results, Jones received 43% of the vote in the six-way race. He bested Daphne Campbell, Wilbur Harbin, Erhabor Ighodaro, Cynthia Stafford and Barbara Watson to face write-in candidate Darien Hill in the general election.
“I am honored to have earned the people’s trust as we keep fighting for the many communities who have felt attacked and forgotten in today’s Florida,” Jones shared in a statement following the results.
“There’s no question that there’s more work to be done,” he continued, “from dismantling systemic injustice, to advocating for a people-first recovery from the ongoing public health and economic crises – and I look forward to lifting up the voices of hardworking Floridians as SD 35’s next State Senator.”
Ahead of his victory, Jones became the target of homophobic campaign texts after being barred from donating blood because of his sexuality Aug. 9. Having recently recovered from COVID-19, the state representative attempted to donate plasma for coronavirus recovery efforts.
As a man who has had sex with another man within the last three months, federal guidelines Jones describes as “antiquated” prevented him from doing so. Opponents utilized the experience to send robotexts advising he was “discriminated against for recent homosexual contact.”
“Rather than running off the issues that matter to the voters of our community, they have chosen to lob desperate attacks based on an antiquated, discriminatory FDA policy,” Jones responded. “Hate never wins.”
LGBTQ-focused organizations which had previously endorsed Jones decried the attacks and subsequently celebrated his victory. The LGBTQ Victory Fund noted it was especially “notable given two of Jones’ opponents had a history of anti-LGBTQ statements or votes and Jones faced several homophobic attacks throughout his campaign.”
“Shevrin shattered a long-standing political barrier for LGBTQ candidates in Florida and did so while running against opponents who attack our community – and that is history-making,” President and CEO Mayor Annise Parker shared.
“He won the trust of constituents through his people-centered work and legislation while in the state House, ensuring the homophobic attacks on him would fail and even backfire,” she continued. “As a state senator, Shevrin will continue to be a role model and inspiration for LGBTQ young people – and especially Black LGBTQ youth – who too rarely see people like them in office. Florida voters chose wisely and we are thrilled to have worked so closely with Shevrin throughout his campaign.”
Equality Florida’s Action PAC, which last year made Jones its first endorsement of the election cycle, called his campaign a top priority. Along with the election of Michele Rayner to represent House District 70, the organization called Aug. 18 an “historic night for Black LGBTQ candidates in Florida.”
“Shevrin’s victory is a groundbreaking milestone as he becomes the first LGBTQ Florida State Senator and the highest-ranking Black LGBTQ official in Florida history,” Senior Political Director Joe Saunders shared. “Representation matters and this win gives LGBTQ Floridians our first seat at the table in the Florida Senate.
“Our donors rallied early to support him and our volunteers sent tens of thousands of messages to voters in the closing days of the campaign,” he continued. “In an era of racist rhetoric from Donald Trump, the election of a Black LGBTQ State Senator is an inspiration for everyone who values equality and justice.”
“We launched this campaign in 2019 with the intention of bringing people together, building coalitions, and tackling the tough issues facing Senate District 35 and Florida,” Jones shared Aug. 19. “Last night’s primary election outcome is the result of everyone pulling together and reinforcing what it means to put people before politics.” View his full remarks below:
For more information about Jones and his campaign, visit ShevrinJones.com.
