‘This work is in my blood’: Son of Florida rep. launches first political campaign
Paul Wilson grew up watching his mother, U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, advocate for Miami Gardens children as a principal at Skyway Elementary School, volunteer her time feeding the homeless and providing resources to her community.
That advocacy, he says, runs in his bloodline, and it’s what led him to run for Miami Gardens City Council for Seat 2, marking his first foray into politics.
“This work is in my blood, it’s in my bones. I feel it permeating through my spirit,” Wilson told a crowd of at least 75 supporters, including family, friends, fraternity brothers, and elected officials at what he dubbed his “movement event” at co-working spaces Oasis at Miami Gardens on Tuesday evening.
Wilson is one of two candidates running for the seat currently occupied by Councilman Reggie Leon. The other is Lavern Deer, a marketing consultant with a background in government who has lived in Miami Gardens for 35 years. The most recent candidate campaign filings show that Wilson has raised $14,500 to Deer’s $630.
An education consultant, Wilson has worked as an educator and administrator in Broward and Miami-Dade County public schools and has served as a regional lead for the Florida Department of Education. He has also served as chief negotiator for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, representing the district in bargaining contracts .
Apart from his work in education, Wilson has worked for the mentoring program 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a nonprofit organization founded by his mother. He has also sat on the Miami Gardens Charter Review Board and been a senior policy advisor for the city of North Miami.
At Tuesday’s event, Miami-Dade County Commissioner and former Miami Gardens mayor Oliver Gilbert said he was supposed to be in Tallahassee but felt it prudent to support his friend in his venture into politics. “I want to be here because a lot of people run for office, but not a lot of people actually lead and serve,” Gilbert told the crowded room. “I want to be here for someone who leads and serves.”
Wilson said his volunteerism, work with youth, and seeing his mother’s rise into politics are what eventually led him to follow in her footsteps into politics. “It was inevitable being so close to her as a kid,” he told the Herald, recalling how Congresswoman Wilson successfully led the charge to close down a compost plant across from Skyway Elementary School, where she served as principal. (The school has since been renamed Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School in her honor).
While the congresswoman wasn’t present, she did pass along her well wishes to her “Pauly” in a voicemail message: “I know that you’re prepared, and I want God to bless you with great health and abundance in every iteration of your life’s journey.” Wilson said she also imparted words of wisdom before he decided to run, including to be careful who he takes advice from and to “keep the interest of the people at heart.”
Focus on affordability
Wilson told the Herald that he plans to focus on affordability and economic growth in Miami Gardens at a time when the median salary is $63,627 and the median rent price is $1,787, according to the U.S. Census. The median sale price for a home in the city is $471,000, according to Redfin.
Wilson said early in his teaching career he could not afford to live as a single person without having additional income. “I can only imagine what it’s like for a single person or some folks who have two to three jobs to make ends meet,” he said.
Wilson also said he’d like to be involved in the city’s burgeoning development, including a future City Center, which is expected to sit along 27th Avenue and near the Miami Gardens police station. The City Center is a planned mixed-use development that focuses on sports and entertainment as a destination spot in Miami Gardens.
“I will champion a local-first policy,” Wilson said. “These are things I am thoroughly interested in and making sure that job training pipelines prepare our young people in Miami Gardens so they don’t feel like they have to leave the city to pursue their careers.”
Wilson ended the night asking for Miami Gardens residents’ support and pushing for economic progress: “When we talk about progress we talk about an affordable Miami Gardens where we can see families rooted across generations,” he said. “We should be able to imagine a city where local talent and small businesses are connected to opportunity...I’m asking you to give me permission to work with and stand with you.”
Other Miami Gardens races
In addition to the Seat 2 race, Miami Gardens residents will decide on council members for Seat 4, which is held by Katrina Wilson, who is termed out. Mykita Cherry-Prime, an educator at Miami Norland Senior High School; Roderick “Rod” Mack, an entrepreneur and founder of advisory firm Onyx Financial Management Group; and Angela Maria Wynter, a substitute teacher and hair salon owner, have filed to run for the seat.
Robert Stephens III is running for reelection for the at-large Seat 6 against Erhabor Ighodaro, a former Miami Gardens councilman and vice mayor who has also run for Senate seat District 34 and ultimately lost to Sen. Shevrin Jones.
