The race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson is officially underway, with 10 candidates qualifying for Florida’s 24th Congressional District and setting the stage for one of the most crowded Democratic primaries in the state.
Wilson’s decision to step aside after more than a decade in Congress created a rare open seat in one of Florida’s safest Democratic districts, triggering a scramble among elected officials, political veterans, attorneys, and community leaders eager to represent South Florida in Washington.
The field includes current and former elected officials, political heirs, business leaders, and perennial candidates, creating a wide-open contest that could reshape the future of Democratic politics in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Among the most prominent candidates are former state Sen. Shevrin Jones, Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III, former Miami-Dade Commissioner Jean Monestime, physician Rudy Moise, and businesswoman Christine Sanon-Jules. Jones resigned from the Florida Senate to pursue the congressional seat, while Gilbert entered the race after serving as both Miami Gardens mayor and Miami-Dade commissioner.
Florida’s 24th congressional district, which stretches across portions of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, remains heavily Democratic and is widely viewed as a safe Democratic seat in the general election. That means the August Democratic primary could effectively determine Wilson’s successor.
Wilson, who first entered Congress in 2010, announced her retirement after months of speculation about her future. Her departure marks the end of an era for South Florida Democrats and opens the door for a new generation of leadership.
Political observers expect fundraising, name recognition, and voter turnout to play major roles in determining who advances from the crowded field. Several candidates already possess established political networks, while others are seeking to position themselves as fresh alternatives to South Florida’s traditional political establishment.
With so many candidates competing for support, analysts expect the race to remain fluid through the summer as campaigns battle for endorsements, fundraising dollars, and voter attention.
Why It Matters
Open congressional seats are rare in Florida, particularly in districts dominated by one political party. The winner of the Democratic primary is likely to become the next representative for one of South Florida’s most influential congressional districts, making this one of the state’s most consequential races of 2026.
