Rep. Frederica Wilson said she won’t seek reelection this year, joining the retirement exodus from Congress’ lower chamber.
She made the announcement Friday during a ceremony for a street named in her honor in the Miami area.
“I think it’s time,” the Florida Democrat told the Miami Herald about declining to run for a ninth term.
“I think I really held on as long as I did because of the 5000 Role Models program and my concern about the future of it,” she said, referring to the minority-catered mentorship program she created.
The 83-year-old was pressured not to run again after missing over 40 House votes and a full month of legislative sessions starting April 17. She said she was recovering from major left-eye surgery and was prohibited from flying by her doctors.
She initially denied retirement rumors, telling Axios last week, “It’s a crazy rumor. A crazy, crazy rumor. I’m almost distraught. It’s not true. I am still planning on running.”
Ultimately, Ms. Wilson told the Herald she made her decision to not run a while ago, but needed to be “politically strategic” due to Florida’s recent congressional redistricting.
“I figured if I announced that I was retiring, what would the Legislature and the governor do? What would they say? Would District 24 be an easy target because Frederica is no longer there? I’m a strong candidate,” she said.
After the Supreme Court issued a blockbuster ruling that significantly narrowed how the Voting Rights Act can be applied, her concerns grew. The same week as the high court’s decision, the Florida Legislature voted on a new congressional map that expanded the number of Black constituents in her district.
“God said to me, ’Frederica, stay put and trust the process, and when it’s time, you will know,’” she said.
Her successors include several locals: state Sen. Shevrin Jones, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert and Rudy Moise, a Miami physician who twice ran against Ms. Wilson.
Mr. Moise already declared his candidacy, denouncing Ms. Wilson’s absence on Capitol Hill.
Mr. Gilbert was considering a run if Ms. Wilson retired, NOTUS reported.
Mr. Jones announced on Wednesday that he would not seek reelection to the state Legislature, saying, “While one chapter of service may be coming to a close in my life, I believe another chapter may be beginning.”
Aside from Ms. Wilson, 57 House members have announced they will not seek reelection, and 30 incumbents are retiring.
