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Dark-Money Group Spreads False HIV Smear Against Florida Senate Candidate

8/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A false text campaign claimed Senate candidate Shevrin Jones (D-Florida) is HIV positive and was denied donation because he is gay.
Equality Florida said messages did not come from it and that smear was a “disgusting attack” by “dark-money group” backing an opponent, Brandon Wolf said.
Jones denied having HIV, called the texts an attack, and noted a similar smear followed a 2022 Miami Herald story about his plasma donation.

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Story summary

A false text campaign claimed Senate candidate Shevrin Jones (D-Florida) is HIV positive and was denied donation because he is gay.
Equality Florida said messages did not come from it and that smear was a “disgusting attack” by “dark-money group” backing an opponent, Brandon Wolf said.
Jones denied having HIV, called the texts an attack, and noted a similar smear followed a 2022 Miami Herald story about his plasma donation.