Reginald Luster, 52, a former assistant U.S. attorney, has filed to run for the Senate and will be on the Florida Democratic primary ballot in August.
Luster appeared on Wednesday’s First Coast Connect to talk about his campaign and his reasons for running against incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio.
“I got in the race because I want to advocate and vote for the interests of Floridians over partisan politics,” said Luster, who's seeking the Democratic nomination.
Luster added, “I believe the time is not for new leadership in the United States Senate. Floridians need to vote for a U.S. Senator who has experiences — life experiences and life maturity — and who overall will vote their particular interests and not just give in to this partisan politics.”
Luster, who has been practicing law for 28 years, is adamant about making higher education affordable and passing criminal justice reform.
In 2004, Luster was sworn in as president of the Jacksonville Bar Association, making him the first and only black lawyer to be elected to that position.
“I have the superior knowledge of federal law,” Luster said. “I have experience in terms of negotiating, and building coalitions, and I will take all of these skills as a law maker in the United States Senate.”
If elected, Luster said he would support stricter gun control laws, including preventing "local terrorists from having access to military-style assault rifles."
“I think that Floridians understand if we can’t have safe public places it will not only affect our quality of life, but also our tourism industry," he said.
