Miami Democratic state Rep. Ashley Gantt’s campaign for Senate District 34 has a new ad out contrasting her legislative focuses with what she characterizes as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ preoccupation with “culture wars.”
The 30-second spot is now running on TV, targeting SD 34 voters living in northeast Miami-Dade, including Bay Harbor Islands, Bal Harbour, Biscayne Park, El Portal, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami Shores Village, North Bay Village, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-locka and Surfside.
“While Ron DeSantis chose fights over culture wars, I’ve stayed focused on what families and Miami-Dade County actually need. In the Florida House, I saw Ron DeSantis play politics with our kids’ classrooms, while the real problems go ignored. I proudly stood up to that agenda, fighting for our schools, our families, and our freedom to live our lives,” she says.
“Now, I’m ready to take that fight to the Florida Senate. Family first. Community first. That’s how I’ll lead in the Senate.”
The new ad buy follows another Gantt made just under a month ago.
People backing her campaign include the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme, Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris, Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, North Bay Village Mayor Rachel Streitfeld, Opa-locka Mayor John Taylor, Miami Gardens Vice Mayor Robert Stephens and Miami Gardens Councilwoman Katrina Wilson.
Florida Professional Firefighters, the Florida East Coast Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the Florida Medical Association, Engage Y’All and Ruth’s List Florida are also backing her.
Gantt, 41, is a lawyer and educator who has served in the House since 2022. She won her House District 109 seat by fewer than 500 votes and secured re-election two years later, in 2024, by 24 percentage points.
She is running to succeed Miami Gardens Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones, who is vying for the congressional seat from which Democratic U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson is retiring.
Three others are running: Democrats Shannan Ighodaro and Christine Sanon-Jules Olivo, and Republican Elizabeth Jeanty.
The Primary is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.
Jesse Scheckner has covered South Florida with a focus on Miami-Dade County since 2012. His work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Society of News Editors, Florida MMA Awards and Miami New Times. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JesseScheckner.
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