With Congresswoman Frederica Wilson retiring, 10 candidates are running to represent Florida’s District 24, which covers key neighborhoods across Miami, Miami Gardens and into southern Broward County.
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Eight of them took the stage Tuesday night for a wide-ranging debate focused on experience, economic survival, immigration, and the future of work.
What They Say They’ll Bring to Washington
The debate opened with a simple question: What do you bring to Washington?
Candidates wasted no time drawing contrasts.
Marshall Davis:
“My success, my ability to make strategies… ideas and concepts that have a proven track record of success — I am the candidate.”
Oliver Gilbert:
“My experience is one of absolute work and results. That is why I am endorsed by Frederica Wilson… she has seen my work, my results.”
Kendrick Meek emphasized his work in Washington, D.C., and the Biden White House:
“I am the only person on this stage with federal experience… I have over 25 members of Congress supporting my campaign. I know I can bring those relationships to bear for this community.”
Economic Survival and the Future of Work
District 24 includes neighborhoods facing persistent poverty, rising costs, and rapid changes in the job market.
Jean Monestime:
“Congress needs to force the president to stop that war and reinvest those dollars in the retraining employees… so many of these jobs being taken over by AI.”
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Shevrin Jones:
“The inflation is rising, but people’s paychecks are not rising and we are seeing that on a daily basis. Once you get that job, how do you survive here in South Florida?”
Roderick Vereen:
“This district, if it invests in AI training centers and edge code node digital infrastructure, within a 10-year period it will make between $8.5 million and $22 billion.”
Immigration: Personal Stories and Policy Differences
Immigration drew emotional responses and clear differences.
Te Mayonna Brown:
The only Republican and the only woman on stage:
“We need to hear the concerns from immigrants… we don’t even understand what the pathway is for them because we are not them.”
Dr. Rudy Moise:
“I fight to create a path for citizenship for all legal residents who have no criminal background.”
Where the Candidates Agree
The seven Democrats on stage aligned broadly on major issues like immigration and healthcare, though they differed on how to execute specific policies.
Brown, the lone Republican, often stood apart — offering a contrasting perspective on immigration, community needs, and representation.
What’s Next
Primary Election Day is August 18.
Voters in District 24 will decide who moves on to the general election and who will ultimately replace Frederica Wilson in Congress.