Jean Monestime seeks Florida’s 24th District Seat with a Focus on Economic Opportunity

The former county leader says expanding economic opportunity, protecting immigrant communities and a lifetime of public service have prepared him to represent South Florida in Congress.

Former Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Jean Monestime says his bid for Florida’s 24th Congressional District is less about returning to politics and more about continuing a lifetime of public service.

“The seat itself didn’t pull me back. Service pulled me back,” Monestime said during an interview on That Part Podcast, presented by Hy-Lo News and Just Vote Period. “The desire to serve pulled me back.”

Monestime, a Democrat, entered the race after U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson announced she would not seek reelection, opening one of South Florida’s most closely watched congressional contests. The Aug. 18 Democratic primary features a crowded field of candidates hoping to succeed the longtime congresswoman.

A Haitian immigrant who arrived in the United States at 17 without his parents, Monestime said his life experiences have shaped both his leadership style and his priorities. After serving on the North Miami City Council, he was elected to the Miami-Dade County Commission in 2010 and later became the first Haitian American to chair the commission.

“If you’re chasing history, you may end up with nothing,” he said. “I’m following my passion.”

Monestime said he initially resisted calls to return to public office after leaving the County Commission because of term limits in 2022. But after Wilson announced her retirement, he said community leaders and family members encouraged him to run.

“My family had been helping me say ‘no’ before, but this time they all said, ‘You should do this,'” he said.

If elected, Monestime said his top priority would be creating greater economic opportunity for residents throughout District 24. He supports expanding access to higher education, investing in workforce training and reducing the financial burden of student loan debt.

“We send kids to school to force them to become poor after school, even though they have a degree,” he said.

Immigration reform is another cornerstone of his campaign. As an immigrant himself, Monestime said Congress should work to protect immigrant families while creating a pathway to U.S. citizenship for those contributing to their communities.

“We need to protect these individuals,” he said. “We need to integrate them into our community. We need to provide them a track to become U.S. citizens.”

Drawing on his experience leading one of the nation’s largest county governments, Monestime said he believes his ability to work across differences would serve him well in Washington.

“My colleagues realized that I was a unifier,” he said. “I didn’t come there to fight. I came there to make things happen for my people.”

Despite entering a crowded Democratic primary, Monestime said he is confident voters will recognize his decades of community service and leadership.

“My life would tell you that I’m always a David, not a Goliath,” he said. “Giants do fall.”

The Democratic primary for Florida’s 24th Congressional District will be held Aug. 18. The winner will advance to the November general election to succeed Wilson after more than a decade representing the district in Congress.