Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III has won the Democratic primary for Florida’s 24th Congressional District, according to projections, positioning him to succeed longtime U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson. Gilbert defeated a crowded field of six other Democrats, including state Sen. Shevrin Jones, who conceded after trailing by approximately 2 percentage points. The heavily Democratic district, which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, will hold its general election in November.
Key developments:
- Gilbert’s victory was confirmed by the Associated Press, which projected him as the winner following Jones’ concession.
- The district, previously represented by Wilson since 2011, remains a safe Democratic seat despite recent redistricting that shifted some coastal areas to neighboring constituencies.
Gilbert, who received Wilson’s endorsement, emphasized his local government experience as a central pillar of his campaign. He previously served as mayor of Miami Gardens and as a Miami-Dade County commissioner, arguing that his work on local issues prepared him to address broader federal concerns. Affordability and healthcare access emerged as defining issues in the primary, with Gilbert proposing policies to lower the Medicare eligibility age and expand Medicaid income limits.
The general election matchup
Gilbert will face Republican T.E. Brown in the November general election. The 24th District, which includes predominantly Black and Hispanic communities such as Miami Gardens, Opa-locka, and Little Haiti, remains a strong Democratic stronghold. Wilson, known for her distinctive wide-brimmed hats, announced her retirement earlier this year, prompting a competitive primary.
Campaign dynamics and endorsements
Wilson’s endorsement of Gilbert was a significant factor in the race, as she declared at a rally, “If I am endorsing you, everybody in District 24 should be endorsing you.” While the primary drew seven candidates, the contest did not feature the high-profile clashes between establishment Democrats and progressive factions seen in other 2026 midterm races. House Democratic leaders have not yet publicly coalesced behind a candidate, though Gilbert’s victory may prompt further alignment.
District composition and political landscape
The 24th District, redrawn this year as part of Florida’s congressional map changes, now includes portions of northern Miami-Dade and southern Broward counties. While areas along the coast, including Miami Beach, were shifted to neighboring districts, the core of the 24th remains a Democratic stronghold. The district’s demographics reflect a majority-minority electorate, with a significant Black and Hispanic voter base.
Gilbert’s campaign focused on his track record in local governance, highlighting his work on issues such as housing affordability and healthcare access. His proposals included lowering the Medicare eligibility age and raising Medicaid income limits to prevent individuals from losing coverage due to increased earnings. These policy positions were central to his outreach to voters in the primary.