One of South Florida\u2019s most prominent Democratic local officials just took what many believe to be his first official step from a county seat to federal office.<\/p>\n
Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III, who led the panel as Chair during the 2022-24 term, confirmed he is resigning from his District 1 seat, effective Jan. 3, 2027 \u2014 the same date when the winners of Florida congressional races would swear into office.<\/p>\n
His resignation came Friday, the same day U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson announced she will not seek<\/a> re-election in Florida\u2019s 24th Congressional District, which overlaps significantly with District 1.<\/p>\n Gilbert, a former Miami Gardens Mayor, and several other local and state leaders \u2014 including state Sen. Shevrin Jones, a fellow Miami Gardens Democrat who announced he also won\u2019t run for re-election<\/a> this year \u2014 have been rumored to be mulling runs to succeed Wilson.<\/p>\n Neither, so far, has officially announced.<\/p>\n In a Thursday letter to Miami-Dade Clerk Juan Fernandez-Barquin, first reported<\/a>\u00a0Friday by Doug Hanks of the Miami Herald, Gilbert called serving as a Miami-Dade Commissioner \u201cone of the greatest honors of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPublic service has never simply been a job to me. It has been a calling rooted in a belief that government, when guided by vision, compassion, and courage, can improve the lives of working families and expand opportunity for future generations,\u201d Gilbert wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cThough my role may change, my commitment to this community and the people who call it home will not.\u201d<\/p>\n He shared similar sentiments in an Instagram video<\/a> Friday.<\/p>\n A Miami Gardens-born lawyer who served as the city\u2019s Mayor from 2012 to 2020<\/a>,\u00a0before winning his County Commission seat, Gilbert won re-elected to his District 1 seat in 2024 without opposition.<\/p>\n He\u2019s leaving office two years early, but with enough time for the District 1 race to make this year\u2019s ballot. Two candidates, Miami-Dade School Board Member Steve Gallon and Miami Gardens Council Member Linda Julien, have confirmed<\/a> they\u2019re running<\/a> to succeed him.<\/p>\n CD 24, as redrawn under a mid-decade redistricting plan<\/a>\u00a0drafted by Gov.\u00a0Ron DeSantis\u2019\u00a0Office,\u00a0passed by the Legislature<\/a>\u00a0in late April, and\u00a0signed<\/a>\u00a0in early May, covers Miami Gardens and Miramar in Miami-Dade, and Hollywood and Pembroke Pines in Broward County.<\/p>\n More than 68.7% of voters there backed Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024, making it a safe Democratic seat. The district is 47.7% Black and 40.9% Hispanic in its voting age population, and a Democratic Primary will almost certainly determine who goes to Congress.<\/p>\n The Primary is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.<\/p>\n