Ryan Nicol
Shevrin Jones has released his inaugural campaign ad as the current House member readies his run for Senate District 35 in 2020.
The video, just over three minutes long, begins with Jones recalling advice given to him by his father when he was young.
“The awards that you receive and the recognition that you will get will not last longer than the impression that you make on people by helping them change their lives forever,” said Jones’ father, Eric.
That statement serves as the through-line for the ad, as several people give their testimony about Jones’ impact.
“He was essentially like a support system for me,” said Herve Lacroix, one of Jones’ former students.
“I’ve known Shevrin Jones for roughly seven years now. He was a former teacher of mine, Honors Chemistry, at Everglades High School. He was always reminding me of my potential as a student, as a leader. He truly, truly is probably the reason why I am where I am today.”
“When I think about Rep. Jones and the impact that he’s had on my life, I automatically think about the incredible network that he’s set up for not only me, but all of the L.E.A.D. Nation Fellows,” said Ryan Rowe, who participated in the leadership program co-founded by Jones.
“At the end of the day, we all need someone to uplift us, someone that’s going to be stable and someone that’s going to keep working hard for the rest of community, and Shev definitely fills that role.”
Jones announced his run for the SD 35 seat in early January. Sen. Oscar Braynon II currently holds the seat, but is barred from running in 2020 due to term limits. And Jones is term-limited in the House in 2020.
“I’m running for Florida’s 35th Senate District because we have so much work to do,” Jones said in the ad. “I’m not in it for another title. I’m in it because I serve you.”
Jones’ parents also make a cameo, talking up their son as he prepares to move to the Senate.
“He is a visionary,” said Jones’ father, Eric, of his son. “A visionary doesn’t wait for everyone to understand what he’s doing, and so there’s no stopping him because he sees it. And because he sees it, he does it.”
“Shevrin’s going to give it his all,” added Jones’ mother, Bloneva. “And I’m not just talking because I’m his mom. I know Shevrin. I know him.”
Jones has already courted a trio of Democratic challengers for the seat. Former Rep. Cynthia Stafford was the first to file and has since been joined by Miami Gardens Councilman Erhabor Ighodaro and controversial former Sen. Daphne Campbell.
This Session in the House, Jones has put forward bills to allow for the expansion of Miami-Dade County’s needle exchange program, and to ensure women inmates are provided basic hygiene products.
Jones recently also pushed the governor to set up a panel to study gun violence in minority communities. The commission would be modeled off of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission.
“I cannot do this without your help,” Jones said to close the ad. “Join me in building this people-powered campaign to include everyone in this district.”
