Shevrin Jones
Shev Jones | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Florida Senate | |
| Assumed office November 3, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Oscar Braynon |
| Constituency | 35th district (2020–2022) 34th district (2022–present) |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 34th district | |
| In office November 6, 2012 – November 3, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Redistricted |
| Succeeded by | Marie Woodson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 12, 1983 Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Quinten Jones |
| Education | Florida A&M University (BS) Florida Atlantic University (MEd) |
| Website | State Senate website |
Shevrin D. "Shev" Jones (born October 12, 1983) is an American educator and politician serving as a member of the Florida Senate from the 34th district since 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously represented the 35th district from 2020 to 2022 and served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2012 to 2020, representing the 101st district.[1]
Early life
[edit]Jones was born in Miami Gardens, Florida.[2] He attended Florida A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and molecular biology in 2006.[3]
After graduating, Jones returned to South Florida and worked as an educator, including teaching Advanced Placement chemistry in Broward County Public Schools.[4] He later earned a Master of Education degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2017.[5]
Broward County Commission Campaign
[edit]In 2010, Jones ran for the Broward County Commission in District 8. He finished third in the Democratic primary behind Barbara Sharief and Angelo Castillo.[6]
Florida House of Representatives
[edit]Following redistricting in 2012, Jones ran for the newly created 101st district in the Florida House of Representatives, which included parts of Broward County.[7]
After the withdrawal of other candidates, Jones was elected unopposed in both the Democratic primary and the general election.[8] He was subsequently reelected without opposition until reaching term limits in 2020.
During his tenure in the House, Jones served in Democratic caucus leadership positions, including Democratic Deputy Whip from 2017 to 2018 and Deputy Democratic Leader from 2018 to 2020.[9]
Florida Senate
[edit]
In 2020, Jones ran for Florida Senate District 35 to succeed term-limited Senator Oscar Braynon.[10]
He defeated several candidates in the Democratic primary, including former state senator Daphne Campbell, state representative Barbara Watson and former state representative Cynthia Stafford.[11]
Jones faced no Republican opposition in the general election and took office in November 2020.[12]
Following redistricting in 2022, Jones was elected to represent the 34th district.[13]
As of the 2024–2026 legislative term, Jones serves as vice chair of the Senate Rules Committee and sits on several committees, including Finance and Tax, Fiscal Policy, Transportation, and Education Postsecondary.[14]
Committee Assignments (2024-2026)
[edit]- Rules (Vice Chair)
- Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
- Community Affairs
- Education Postsecondary
- Finance and Tax
- Fiscal Policy
- Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
- Transportation
Personal life
[edit]In 2016, Jones underwent emergency spinal surgery after suffering a serious injury during a workout. He later recovered after rehabilitation and physical therapy.[15]
In 2018, Jones publicly came out as gay while serving in the Florida House of Representatives.[16] He became the first openly LGBTQ Black lawmaker in the Florida Legislature.[17]
His father, pastor Eric H. Jones, served as mayor of West Park, Florida from 2005 until 2020.[18]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Senator Shevrin D. "Shev" Jones - The Florida Senate". The Florida Senate. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "Shevrin Jones". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "Shevrin D. "Shev" Jones - Florida House of Representatives". Florida House of Representatives. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "Meet Shev". Shevrin Jones Campaign. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "Shevrin D. "Shev" Jones - Florida House of Representatives". Florida House of Representatives. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "2010 Primary Election Results". Broward County Supervisor of Elections. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ Wallman, Brittany (2012-05-07). "Shevrin Jones and Pembroke Park Mayor Mohammed square off for state House". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "Shevrin D. "Shev" Jones - Florida House of Representatives". Florida House of Representatives. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "Florida State Sen. Shev Jones Biography". LegiStorm. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ Gross, Samantha J. (2020-08-18). "Rep. Shevrin Jones makes history, wins crowded Senate District 35 Democratic primary". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ Gross, Samantha J. (2020-08-18). "Rep. Shevrin Jones makes history, wins crowded Senate District 35 Democratic primary". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "Senator Shevrin D. "Shev" Jones - The Florida Senate". The Florida Senate. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ Ceballos, Ana (2022-08-23). "Shev Jones trounces opponents to win Senate District 34". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "Senator Shevrin D. "Shev" Jones - The Florida Senate". The Florida Senate. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "A spinal injury should have paralyzed him. But this lawmaker is fighting back". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ Smiley, David (2018-08-22). "Florida Rep. Shevrin Jones opens up as a gay man: 'I'm living my truth.'". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "Shevrin Jones (FL-35)". Democrats Abroad. 2020-08-26. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ Zuñiga, Sofia; Hernandez, Veronica (June 17, 2022). "Shevrin Jones, Florida's first openly gay senator, fights to hold onto his job". Caplin News. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
External links
[edit]- 1983 births
- 20th-century African-American politicians
- 21st-century African-American politicians
- 21st-century members of the Florida Legislature
- African-American LGBTQ people
- African-American state legislators in Florida
- American gay politicians
- Democratic Party Florida state senators
- Democratic Party members of the Florida House of Representatives
- LGBTQ state legislators in Florida
- Living people
- People from Hollywood, Florida
