Key Takeaways
- A new voice for South Florida: Oliver Gilbert defeated Republican Te Mayonna Brown on Tuesday to win Florida’s 24th Congressional District, securing a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- An HBCU legacy continues: Gilbert, a Florida A&M University graduate, will succeed Frederica Wilson, a Fisk University graduate who represented the district since 2011.
- A familiar face in Washington: The former Miami Gardens mayor will take his experience in local government to Congress, representing a district spanning communities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
FAMU grad Oliver Gilbert III is headed to Washington, bringing with him the South Florida community that helped shape his political career.
Gilbert, a Miami-Dade County commissioner and former mayor of Miami Gardens, handedly defeated Republican Te Mayonna Brown on Tuesday night garnering nearly 81 percent of the vote to win Florida’s 24th Congressional District. He will succeed longtime U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, who is retiring after representing the district since 2011.
The victory marks a significant transition for a district that has long been represented by Wilson, a prominent Democratic voice in Congress. Wilson announced her retirement in May and soon afterward endorsed Gilbert as her preferred successor. She urged voters to unite behind him, lending the commissioner the support of a well-established political figure with deep roots in the district.
Gilbert also secured the backing of Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who praised him as a persistent advocate for the county and expressed confidence that he would ensure South Florida's interests remain visible at the federal level.
The 24th Congressional District encompasses a broad stretch of eastern Miami-Dade County and portions of Broward County. Its communities include North Miami, Little Haiti and Hollywood.
The district leans heavily Democratic, making the contest an opportunity for Democrats to maintain their hold on the seat.
Gilbert's path to Congress has been shaped by years of local government experience. His political career has given him a platform on issues affecting the region's residents and communities.
In Washington, Gilbert will join FAMU alumnus U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum in Congress who represents Oregon's 5th Congressional District.