Veteran Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson will not seek reelection to Florida’s Congressional District 24 seat this year, according to MIA Media Group, which first broke the story. However, chatter started buzzing around the community Saturday night, with multiple anonymous sources sharing with Hy-Lo News that Wilson had shared with people close to her that should would be retiring this year.
Wilson’s decision instantly reshapes the political landscape in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and is expected to spark one of the most high-profile races South Florida has seen in years.
Already, community conversations are centering around Miami-Dade County Commission Oliver Gilbert III and Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones as potential frontrunners to replace Wilson in Congress.
But streets are talking that several other well-known South Florida political figures and community leaders could also enter the race, including Miami-Dade Commissioner Marleine Bastien, businessman Rudolph Moise, Miami-Dade School Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon III, Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam and Miami-Dade Commissioner Keon Hardemon. Even Hip-Hop Star Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell’s name has been thrown in the mix, however he has announced his run for US Congressional seat in District 20.
Wilson, known nationally for her signature cowboy hats, outspoken advocacy and decades of public service, has represented Florida’s 24th Congressional District since 2010. The district includes portions of North Miami-Dade County and southern Broward County and is considered one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse districts in the nation.
Before serving in Congress, Wilson built a long career in education and public service. She worked as a teacher, assistant educational coordinator and principal within Miami-Dade County Public Schools after earning degrees from Fisk University and the University of Miami. During her time as principal of Skyway Elementary School, Wilson gained attention for organizing students and the community to successfully shut down a nearby compost plant that residents said created environmental and health concerns.
That advocacy work helped launch her political career.
Wilson later served on the Miami-Dade County School Board, where she established the 500 Role Models of Excellence Project, which eventually expanded into the nationally recognized 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project mentoring program. The initiative has helped thousands of young men through mentorship, scholarships and educational opportunities and was recognized nationally by President Bill Clinton and later praised by President Barack Obama as a model program for young men of color.
Wilson went on to serve in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate before being elected to Congress in 2010. During her legislative career, she became known for championing issues tied to education, workforce development, transportation, criminal justice reform and voting rights.
In Congress, Wilson served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Education and Workforce Committee and currently serves as Ranking Democrat on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee in the 119th Congress.
She also helped secure billions in federal investments for South Florida projects, including transportation infrastructure improvements, transit investments and revitalization projects throughout Miami-Dade County. According to her official bio, more than $3.1 billion in grants, contracts and other assistance flowed into the district during her tenure in Congress.
Wilson also became nationally known for her advocacy surrounding Black men and boys through the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys and for her international campaign demanding the safe return of the kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls through the #BringBackOurGirls movement.
Throughout her career, Wilson often referred to herself as a “Voice for the Voiceless,” a reputation that helped make her one of South Florida’s most recognizable and influential political figures.
Now, with Wilson stepping aside, attention turns to who could become the next voice representing Congressional District 24 in Washington.
This is a developing story — and we’ll be on it.
Come Home Luke!