Jesse Scheckner
Miami Gardens Sen. Shevrin Jones wants to see Joe Geller on the Miami-Dade County School Board.
Jones, an education professional, is endorsing Geller for the School Board’s District 3 seat.
The seat’s current occupant, fellow Democrat Lucia Baez-Geller (no relation), announced her support of Geller last month.
“I am proud to endorse Joe Geller for the Miami-Dade County School Board,” Jones said in a statement Wednesday.
“Joe consistently fought for public education during his time in the state House and even served on the Education Committee. I am confident he will not only be an incredible advocate for our students and teachers but will be an effective Board member who will work collaboratively to accomplish great things for Miami-Dade schools.”
Jones and Geller served alongside one another for years as state Representatives until Jones, the first openly LGBTQ Black person to serve in the Florida Legislature, won election to the Senate in 2020.
Jones taught AP chemistry in Broward County public schools and biology at Florida Atlantic University High School. He also worked as the Executive Director of South Florida Reading Corps and founded the South Florida Youth Summit and LEAD Nation, a youth leadership training organization.
Geller, a lawyer and former Chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, reached term limits in the House last year. His political experience dates back decades, including service as North Bay Village Mayor from 2004-2008 and as the attorney for the municipalities of Golden Beach, El Portal, Miami Lakes, North Bay Village and Opa-locka at different times between 1995 and 2018.
He said Jones’ endorsement is an honor.
“As a long-time educator and staunch advocate for youth mentorship, Shev understands the significance of electing well-qualified individuals to the School Board who will prioritize students’ education and well-being,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Shev to forge a brighter future for our educational community.”
Geller entered the race to represent District 3, which covers nearly all of Miami-Dade’s coastline and encompasses 30 or so schools, on Sept. 11. By the end of the month, which marked the end of the third-quarter campaign finance reporting period, he raised more than $45,000 with ample help from current and former elected officials.
His two opponents — Democratic special education teacher Gustavo Ortega and Hayley Ross, the wife of a Republican candidate in last year’s race for House District 106 — raised less than $1,000 combined in Q3.
The District 3 race is technically nonpartisan, meaning all candidates compete against one another regardless of party. If any candidate secures more than 50% of the vote during the Aug. 20, 2024, Primary Election, that person will secure victory outright.
If none do so, the two candidates with the most Primary votes will compete in a runoff culminating in the General Election on Nov. 5, 2024.
