Outgoing U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson has officially endorsed former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert in the race to succeed her in Congress, giving the South Florida Democrat a boost in what is shaping up to be a crowded and competitive primary.
Wilson announced her endorsement during an event at the Nine O One Center in Miami Gardens, where she symbolically passed a torch to Gilbert in front of supporters.
“I need somebody who’ll fight just like I fought,” Wilson said.
The endorsement comes weeks after Wilson announced she would not seek reelection to Florida’s 24th Congressional District.
Wilson has represented the district since first winning election in 2010 and remains one of South Florida’s most recognizable Democratic figures.
Gilbert embraced the endorsement, calling it the most meaningful support he could receive in the campaign.
“This is the most meaningful endorsement I could ask for,” Gilbert said.
“Congresswoman Wilson has fought for this community for decades, the last 15 years in Congress doing the hard work to move our community and country forward, and she does not give her word lightly.”
Gilbert, who grew up in Miami Gardens, said his campaign is focused on affordability issues facing South Florida families.
He pointed to rising housing costs, healthcare expenses and transportation challenges as key concerns for voters.
“I know what families here are up against, because I have lived it,” Gilbert said.
“I am running to change that. Not with promises, but with work.”
Gilbert faces a crowded field of Democratic candidates seeking to replace Wilson.
Among the most prominent contenders is state Sen. Shevrin Jones.
Other Democratic candidates include Marshall Davis of the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, Kendrick Meek Jr., Dr. Rudolph Moise, former Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Jean Monestime and former congressional candidate Roderick Vereen.
Because Florida’s 24th Congressional District heavily favors Democrats, many political observers expect the primary winner to become the district’s next representative.
More than 68 percent of voters in the district supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
The endorsement also comes amid broader political developments in Florida that could reshape the state’s congressional landscape.
On Wednesday, the Florida Supreme Court declined to intervene in a challenge to the state’s newly adopted congressional map.
The decision allows litigation over the maps to continue in a lower court while ensuring the current map remains in place for now.
The ruling was viewed as a significant procedural victory for Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers who supported the redistricting plan.
Following the decision, DeSantis celebrated the outcome on social media.
“The Florida Supreme Court has REJECTED the challenge to the state’s redistricting plan and new map,” DeSantis wrote.
“This assures that the recently enacted map will be in place for the 2026 election.”
The legal challenge remains active in circuit court.
Opponents of the map argue it violates Florida’s Fair Districts Amendments, constitutional provisions approved by voters in 2010 that prohibit political gerrymandering.
The National Redistricting Foundation has been among the organizations challenging the map.
Executive Director Marina Jenkins argued the plan unfairly advantages Republicans.
“The 2026 plan has the largest pro-Republican skew of any congressional map in history for any state with 15 or more districts,” Jenkins said.
“This is exactly what the Fair Districts Amendments were designed to prevent.”
The new map could potentially increase Republican representation in Florida’s congressional delegation by as many as four seats.
Supporters of the map argue Florida’s rapid population growth and shifting demographics justify redrawing district boundaries before the next census.
“We believe there’s defects in the current map,” DeSantis said during a 2025 press conference.
Florida’s Legislature approved the redistricting proposal during a special session before DeSantis signed it into law, Florida Politics reported.
While the legal battle over Florida’s congressional map continues, attention in South Florida is increasingly turning toward the race to replace Wilson.
