Oliver Gilbert Wins Florida’s 24th Congressional District

Gilbert, a Miami-Dade County commissioner and former Miami Gardens mayor, will succeed Democratic U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, who chose not to seek reelection after representing the district since 2011. Wilson endorsed Gilbert.

Gilbert’s Win Puts Affordability and Immigrant Protections in Focus

Gilbert’s victory gives voters in Florida’s 24th District a representative who campaigned on affordability and expanded access to health care. The Miami-Dade commissioner and former Miami Gardens mayor defeated Republican Te Mayonna Brown for the open seat, which outgoing Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson had represented since 2011. Wilson endorsed Gilbert.

Gilbert has highlighted housing, gas and grocery costs, and proposed lowering the age for Medicare eligibility and raising Medicaid income limits. He has also said he supports restoring Temporary Protected Status, which has backing among Haitian-American residents in the district.

Brown described options for immigrants as citizenship, permanent residency or returning to their country. The contrast puts the stakes of immigration policy alongside household costs for a district spanning parts of northern Miami-Dade and southern Broward counties.

Gilbert previously served as Miami Gardens’ mayor and has been on the county commission since 2020. His win follows an August Democratic primary in which state Sen. Shevrin Jones conceded. Gilbert will take Wilson’s place in Congress.

Gilbert Wins House Seat After Linking Costs to Trump Policies

Oliver Gilbert won Florida’s 24th Congressional District, defeating Republican Te Mayonna Brown for a seat being vacated by longtime Democrat Frederica Wilson. The result sends a Democrat to Congress who has tied living costs to the Trump administration’s tariffs, its approach to immigration and the war in Iran, and who supports restoring Temporary Protected Status.

Gilbert, a county commissioner and former Miami Gardens mayor, made housing, gas and grocery prices central to his campaign. He also proposed lowering the Medicare eligibility age and increasing Medicaid income limits. His immigration stance contrasts with Brown’s, who said immigrants should pursue citizenship or permanent residency—or return to their country.

The election’s policy divide is especially consequential in a district that includes Haitian-American residents who support TPS. Gilbert’s win backs a candidate advocating protections and broader health-care access, rather than Brown’s more restrictive immigration approach.

Wilson, who had represented the district since 2011, endorsed Gilbert and did not seek another term. Gilbert entered the general election after winning the Democratic primary in August.