Democrats easily held onto Florida's 24th Congressional District on Tuesday, with Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert defeating Republican Tedora Brown, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ. The race was never competitive, as the district, which covers parts of northern Miami, is overwhelmingly Black and Hispanic, with a strong Democratic lean.
Gilbert's victory was all but assured after his August primary win, where he emerged from a crowded Democratic field that included Kendrick Meek Jr., whose father and grandmother both previously held the seat. Gilbert, a former mayor of Miami Gardens, also received a key endorsement from outgoing Rep. Frederica Wilson, who has represented the district for 16 years.
Wilson, who turns 84 on Thursday, announced her retirement in May, saying it was time to pass the torch to a younger generation. "Even leather wears out," she said at the time. Her backing gave Gilbert a significant boost in the deep-blue district, which former Vice President Kamala Harris carried by 39 points in 2024.
With 61 percent of the vote counted as of 7:21 p.m. EST Tuesday, Gilbert led Brown by a wide margin, taking 83.8 percent to her 17.2 percent. The district's lines were redrawn this year by Republicans, but the changes did little to alter its fundamental Democratic makeup.
Brown, a self-described businesswoman and real estate developer, had a turbulent path to the general election. She initially ran for a House seat in Illinois's 11th District, where she lost the GOP primary with less than 6 percent of the vote, before relocating to Florida to seek Wilson's seat.
Her campaign was shadowed by allegations that she and her husband misused nearly $750,000 in COVID-19 relief funds for personal expenses, including purchases at Tiffany & Co. and Saks Fifth Avenue. While her husband pleaded guilty, Brown is contesting the charges.
Gilbert's win ensures Democrats maintain their hold on a seat that has been in the party's hands for decades. His victory comes amid a broader political landscape where Democratic incumbents in other states are also facing re-election tests, though the 24th District was never in doubt.
With Wilson's departure, Gilbert will bring a background in local governance to Washington, having served on the Miami-Dade County Commission and as mayor of Miami Gardens. His transition to Congress is expected to be seamless, given the district's strong Democratic alignment.
