Miami-Dade County

Election season is starting in Miami-Dade, Broward

Shevrin Jones and Oliver Gilbert announced their campaigns to succeed Frederica Wilson in Florida’s 24th Congressional District in churches this week.
Shevrin Jones and Oliver Gilbert announced their campaigns to succeed Frederica Wilson in Florida’s 24th Congressional District in churches this week.

The election cycle is in full swing in South Florida with candidates throwing their hats in the ring for congressional Districts 20 and 24. As Oliver Gilbert and Shevrin Jones made their case in the District 24 race, Black candidates in District 20 were still deciding on if they will coalesce behind a candidate. And newcomer Kendrick Meek Jr., grandson of Congresswoman Carrie Meek and son of Congressman Kendrick Meek, is also entering the race. Read more about the latest updates on elections in this week’s newsletter.

Need to know:

A congressman visited Alligator Alcatraz to see for himself if it’s closing down

DeSantis finally unveils his proposal to cut Floridians’ property taxes

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INSIDE THE 305:

Prayers and politics: Campaigns to succeed Rep. Wilson launch from the pulpit

Shevrin Jones and Oliver Gilbert announced their campaigns to succeed Frederica Wilson in Florida’s 24th Congressional District in churches this week.
Shevrin Jones and Oliver Gilbert announced their campaigns to succeed Frederica Wilson in Florida’s 24th Congressional District in churches this week. Photos by Marra X. Finkelstein and Carl Juste

Miami-Dade County commissioner Oliver Gilbert and Florida state Sen. Shevrin Jones announced their bids for the District 24 seat, weeks after Frederica Wilson announced she would not seek reelection.

Kendrick Meek Jr. running for U.S. House seat his father, grandmother once held

9/1/98--PHOTO BY JON KRAL--LOCAL--The Meek Family--L to R--U.S. Representative Carrie P. Meek and son Kendrick Meek His wife Leslie Meek and son Kendreck Meek Jr. One year old. At a victory party held at the Caleb Center.
9/1/98--PHOTO BY JON KRAL--LOCAL--The Meek Family--L to R--U.S. Representative Carrie P. Meek and son Kendrick Meek His wife Leslie Meek and son Kendreck Meek Jr. One year old. At a victory party held at the Caleb Center. JON KRAL HERALD STAFF

Kendrick Meek Jr., son of former Congressman Kendrick Meek, is running for the same seat his father once held. Kendrick Meek Jr.’s grandmother Carrie Meek first held the seat in 1992, and was one of the first Black people to represent Florida in Congress since Reconstruction.

OUTSIDE THE 305:

Trump’s Education Department is backing away from addressing civil rights for Black students

Miami Northwestern High School students make their way to the auditorium as the Marshall L. Davis African Heritage Cultural Arts Center presented its Black History Month event for 120 students from Miami-Dade County Public Schools at 10:00AM on Monday, February 10, 2025.
Miami Northwestern High School students make their way to the auditorium as the Marshall L. Davis African Heritage Cultural Arts Center presented its Black History Month event for 120 students from Miami-Dade County Public Schools at 10:00AM on Monday, February 10, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com

Under the Trump administration, efforts to address deep-rooted inequities for students of color are being cast as discriminatory against white students, the Associated Press reported.

Haiti to debut redesigned World Cup jersey after FIFA rejects initial design as ‘political’

Haiti forward Ruben Providence (15) reacts after scoring a goal against New Zealand goalkeeper Alex Paulsen (12) in the first half of their friendly soccer match on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Haiti forward Ruben Providence (15) reacts after scoring a goal against New Zealand goalkeeper Alex Paulsen (12) in the first half of their friendly soccer match on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com

FIFA rejected Haiti’s soccer jersey, viewing aspects of the design as a political statement, according to the team’s official sportswear manufacturer, Saeta.

HIGH CULTURE:

Alex Freeman of Plantation, youngest player on Team USA, to make World Cup debut

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 28: Alex Freeman #16 of the United States plays the ball during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 28: Alex Freeman #16 of the United States plays the ball during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) Jared C. Tilton Getty Images

Alex Freeman grew up in Plantation and Parkland and was known for his speed. Now, he’s the youngest player and only Floridian on the U.S. World Cup team.

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