Herald endorsement: Our choice in U.S. House District 24 election | Opinion
READ MORE
Editorial Board’s General Election Endorsements
In advance of the upcoming general elections on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, the Editorial Board interviewed and researched candidates to better understand their views on various issues and how their policies will affect their constituents. The goal is to give voters a better idea of who’s the best candidate for each race.
Expand All
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson is seeking an eighth term to represent District 24, a diverse area that runs from a sliver of South Broward south along the coast to downtown Miami.
As a former educator and founder of the highly successful 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a mentoring program she started in 1993 to help Black and Hispanic teenage boys graduate from high school, Wilson, 81, knows first-hand that economic development for her district hinges on offering children the best education possible.
Her leadership as chair of the House Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee and her work as a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have served this region well, bringing needed federal dollars for school programs, roads and storm systems to prevent flooding, and to expand Port of Miami operations.
For those reasons and more, Wilson deserves another term in Congress. Her Republican opponent, Jesus Gabriel Navarro, 36, ran against Wilson in 2022 and garnered only 28% of the vote. He did not respond to requests for an interview with the Herald Editorial Board.
Combating sea-level rise and protecting the natural environment are key issues for her district. Wilson earned a 100% voting score from the League of Conservation Voters, and she has worked hard to bring millions of federal dollars to the district to tackle beach erosion and improve Biscayne Bay’s water quality. Wilson is also pushing a bipartisan bill to help states facing catastrophic events, such as storms and wild fires. It’s desperately needed to help Florida’s businesses and homeowners save money on ever-escalating property insurance costs.
A former Miami-Dade School Board member, Wilson also has worked on developing gun violence intervention programs for young men and addressing health disparities faced by Black men and boys.
Wilson’s district is among the most ethnically and racially diverse in the nation, and she’s striking the right balance to represent her constituents’ needs. The district includes a large portion of Jewish voters in Aventura and Miami Beach, as well as Hispanics. She is worried about rising antisemitism nationally and remains a strong supporter of Israel’s right to defend itself and to get the Hamas-held hostages back home, but also to reach a cease-fire in that region.
On the collapse of Haiti’s government, Wilson is working with diaspora leaders to help Haiti’s residents restore order and democracy to their small nation, overrun by gangs.
On Russia’s attack of Ukraine, she supports giving Ukraine long-range missiles to defend itself from Russia’s illegal land grab. “It’s critical to defend democracy,” she said.
On national issues like reproductive freedom, Wilson has been a passionate advocate for restoring abortion rights after the U.S. Supreme Court ended almost 50 years of legal protections under the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling. She helped collect signatures to get Florida’s Amendment 4 on this year’s ballot.
In House chambers last year, Wilson shared her story of a stillbirth she was forced to experience before 1973, when abortion was illegal in Florida. She posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Prohibited by law to induce labor, I carried my deceased child inside me for two months and almost died. We can’t go back.”
The Miami Herald Editorial Board endorses FREDERICA WILSON for U.S. House District 24.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWho decides the political endorsements?
In advance of local and state elections, Miami Herald Editorial Board members interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The Editorial Board is composed of experienced opinion journalists and is independent of the Herald’s newsroom. Members of the Miami Herald Editorial Board are: Amy Driscoll, editorial page editor; and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
What does the endorsement process look like?
The Miami Herald Editorial Board interviews political candidates to better understand their views on public policy and how their policies will affect their constituents. Board members do additional reporting and research to learn as much as possible about the candidates before making an endorsement. The Editorial Board then convenes to discuss the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. Candidates who decline to be interviewed will not receive an endorsement.
Is the Editorial Board partisan?
No. In making endorsements, members of the Editorial Board consider which candidates are better prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with our editorial stances or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, readiness for office, depth of knowledge of key issues and understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points.
This story was originally published October 17, 2024 at 12:30 PM.
.png)
.png)
.png)
