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Congressional candidate Shevrin Jones

By David L. Snelling

MIAMI – Is retiring U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson planning to endorse a candidate seeking her Congressional District 24 seat in the 2026 Democratic Primary?

With the election less than two months away, it might be a tough choice for the eight-term Congresswoman if she decides to throw her support behind a candidate.

Among the field of ten candidates, some of them have strong ties to Wilson including State Senator Shevrin Jones, and former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III.

And political novice, Kendrick Meek Jr., whose family has deep political roots in South Florida, is also seeking support from Wilson which could bolster his campaign.

The 29-year-old’s grandmother, Carrie Meek, held the CD 24 seat for teen years, being the first Black woman elected to Congress from Florida since Reconstruction.

And his father, Kendrick Meek Sr., represented the area for over eight years following his mother’s retirement.

Carrie Meek mentored Wilson and encouraged her to run for political office, which started with a seat on the Miami-Dade School Board, the Florida State Senate and House and replacing her son, who vacated his seat early to run for the U.S. Senate.

After Wilson announced her retirement during a street naming ceremony in her honor in Miami Gardens this month, Jones and Gilbert were rumored to run for the seat.

A week later, the two officially entered the race to succeed Wilson.

Gilbert resigned from the County Commission with two years left in his term and Jones opted to not run for reelection in the Florida Senate and also launched a Congressional bid to replace Wilson.

A Wilson endorsement ahead of the 2026 midterm elections could be critical for any candidate seeking to represent the district which encompasses portions of North Miami Dade and Broward County.

While Jones and Gilbert are the front runners, other candidates have lined up to challenge the two potential successors.

Besides Kendrick Meek Jr., former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monetime, attorney Vereen Roderick, Marshall Davis Sr., longtime director of the Marshall Davis Miami-Dade African Cultural Arts Center in Liberty and attorney and Dr. Rudolph Moise have all filed paperwork to run for the seat.

On the Republican side is Te Mayonna Brown, a real estate developer and pro-MAGA, pro-Constitution conservative, NPA candidate and North Bay Village Commissioner Andy Daro and write-in candidate Patricia Gonzalez.

Wilson was Jones’ school principal and inspired him to make an impact in the community and eventually ran for political office.

Jones also joined Wilson’s 5000 Role Model of Excellence Program in which professionals mentor at-risk youths and deter them from a life of crime and instead choose career goals.

Jones, a Miami Gardens native, has been a lawmaker in the Florida Legislation since 2012.

Despite Democrats being outnumbered, Jones fought the GOP on not addressing affordability in Florida and has been a vocal critic of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis for his legislation on altering Black history courses in high school and anti-immigration enforcement which had an impact on farm workers and the state’s economy.

Jones championed the Teddy Bridgewater Act, which now allows high school coaches to spend up to $15,000 of their own money to support student athletes with food, transportation and recovery services.

The law was named after the NFL quarterback who was suspended as head football coach for Miami Northwest Senior High after he disclosed on social media that he spent his own money on impoverished student athletes.
“The law ensures coaches, acting as crucial mentors and villages for youth, are not penalized for supporting student-athletes,” Jones said when DeSantis signed the bill into law. “The legislation fixes previous, restrictive rules, allowing coaches to better support student needs.”

Jones said he’s not afraid to clash with DeSantis, President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders.

He told Florida Politics that legislation he passed, including the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act, Blue Envelope Program and Infectious Disease Elimination Program proves he can overcome the odds.
“We were able to do that because we know how to work across the aisle,” he said. “Congresswoman Wilson herself has built an incredible legacy in this state and brought resources back to the district along with results, and I’m ready to enter the next chapter and do those things myself.”

Gilbert and Wilson also have a working relationship dating back to his days as Miami Gardens City commissioner and mayor.

Gilbert won a four-year term on the Miami-Dade County Commission in 2020, narrowly defeating Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin who was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida in 2012.
“I grew up here. I went to school here. I served here. And every step of that journey is the reason I’m running,” Gilbert in a statement after filing paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission.

Gilbert, in a statement on his campaign website, said he’s “not running against anyone” but “running toward something, building a future that works for everyone, across South Florida.”
“People want the same things. Good schools. Healthcare they can actually access. A commute that doesn’t take their life from them. A small business that can compete. A future their kids can build on,” Gilbert said.

During his time on the Miami Gardens City Commission and Miami-Dade County Commission, pushed for economic growth, expansion of public parks and community policing initiatives.

Kendrick Meek Jr., is a Florida-based attorney specializing in land use, zoning and real estate development law.

Meek has twice interned in the House of Representatives, served as a legal assistant with the Human Rights Campaign and worked with the federal Office of Management and Budget.

Now, he wants to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandmother.
“It’s official: I’m running for Congress to represent the people of Florida’s 24th Congressional District,” he said on social media. I’m running to fight for working families who are struggling to get ahead because today’s economy is working for billionaires—not for people like you and me. “It’s time for leadership that puts working people first.”

Kendrick Meek Sr., has publicly supported his son’s decision to run for Congress.

He said Kendrick Meet Jr., has framed his campaign as a continuation of the family’s legacy of public service, and that he is “ready to build his own legacy” while honoring his father’s and grandmother’s contribution.

According to reports, so far, Gilbert has raised over $250,000 in the race, Jones has over $100,000 and no report for Meek’s fundraising.

The Primary Election is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election Nov. 3.