Oliver
G. Gilbert III
Democrat Oliver G. Gilbert III, former Miami Gardens mayor and county commissioner, won the 2026 primary for Florida's open 24th Congressional District.
- sources
- 19
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
- 18
Background
Oliver G. Gilbert III is a Democrat from Miami Gardens, Florida, running for U.S. House in Florida's 24th Congressional District in 2026, an open seat created by the retirement of Rep. Frederica Wilson. 78 He was born and raised in Miami Gardens and holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Florida A&M University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, having initially enrolled at St. Thomas University School of Law before transferring. 1
Before elected office, Gilbert worked as an attorney with over 20 years of legal experience in Florida and federal courts, served as an adjunct professor at Miami Dade College, worked as a legislative aide to state representative Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, and served as deputy policy director for Janet Reno's gubernatorial campaign. 12 He was appointed to the Miami Gardens City Council in 2008, then served two terms as Mayor of Miami Gardens from 2012 to 2020. 23
Gilbert was elected Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 1 in 2020 and reelected in 2024. 14 He submitted a resignation from the commission effective January 3, 2027, ahead of his congressional bid. 19 He won the Democratic primary for Florida's 24th District in August 2026 and is set to face the Republican nominee in the general election. 713
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 24, Florida
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 1
- Website
- olivergilbert.vote(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Sep 25endorsementMiami Herald endorsed Gilbert for the FL-24 general election
The Miami Herald endorsed Gilbert against Republican Mayonna Brown in the November general election, noting it had not endorsed him in the Democratic primary.
Herald endorsement: U.S. House District 24 · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 18newsGilbert won the FL-24 Democratic primary with approximately 34% of the vote
Gilbert won the Democratic nomination for Florida's 24th Congressional District, narrowly edging state Sen. Shevrin Jones who received approximately 32%. He advanced to face Republican Te Mayonna Brown in the general election.
News – Page 140 – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 29filingGilbert reported $812,143 raised and $229,093 cash on hand through July 29
FEC filings summarized by KnowYourReps showed Gilbert had raised $812,143, spent $583,050, and held $229,093 cash on hand as of July 29, 2026.
Florida's 24th District Race 2026: Who's Running? Candidates & Date · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 22endorsementRetiring Rep. Frederica Wilson endorsed Gilbert for FL-24
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who was retiring from the seat, endorsed Gilbert to succeed her. The Florida Bulldog reported the endorsement helped him place first in the Democratic primary.
Miami-Dade Commish Gilbert funneled $3M to nonprofit ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Black Men Vote PAC organizationListed among Gilbert's backers by Florida Politics on August 19. floridapolitics.com
- South Florida Council of Firefighters unionListed as a supporter in the July 31 Miami Times report. miamitimesonline.com
- 1199SEIU Florida unionListed Gilbert in its 2026 Florida endorsement slate; no specific announcement date given. 1199seiu.org
- UNITE HERE Local 335 unionListed as a supporter in the July 31 Miami Times report. miamitimesonline.com
- Miami AFL-CIO unionIdentified as a Gilbert backer in coverage from August 11 and August 19. miamediagrp.com
- SEIU Local 1991 unionListed as a supporter alongside SEIU 32BJ in the July 31 Miami Times report. miamitimesonline.com
- Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins officialListed among Gilbert's endorsers by the Miami Times and Florida Politics; no precise announcement date found. miamitimesonline.com
- Florida AFL-CIO unionListed as a supporter in the July 31 Miami Times report. miamitimesonline.com
- United Teachers of Dade unionIdentified as a Gilbert backer in coverage from August 11 and August 19. miamediagrp.com
- Miami-Dade Democratic Party organizationLists Gilbert as its endorsed candidate for CD-24 in its 2026 endorsements; no specific date given. miamidadedems.org
- Transport Workers Union Local 291 unionIdentified as a Gilbert backer in coverage from August 11 and August 19. floridapolitics.com
- Broward Firefighters unionIdentified as a Gilbert backer in coverage from August 11 and August 19. miamediagrp.com
- The Miami Herald Editorial Board newspaperEndorsed Gilbert for the November general election. miamiherald.com · Sep 25, 2026
- The Miami Times Editorial Board newspaperEditorial board endorsed Gilbert for Florida's 24th Congressional District. miamitimesonline.com · Aug 4, 2026
- SEIU 32BJ unionAnnounced endorsement July 31, 2026; the same Miami Times report also lists SEIU Local 1991, Florida AFL-CIO, South Florida Council of Firefighters, and UNITE HERE Local 335 as supporters. miamitimesonline.com · Jul 31, 2026
- U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson officialEndorsed Gilbert at a Miami Gardens event, symbolically passing him a torch. wlrn.org · Jun 22, 2026
- Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris officialEndorsed Gilbert in the CD-24 race; reported by the Miami Times. miamitimesonline.com · Jun 16, 2026
- Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava officialEndorsed Gilbert according to the Miami Herald. miamiherald.com · Jun 10, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $812K
- Spent
- $583K
- Cash on hand
- $229K
As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL24095(opens in a new tab)
Sources 19
- [1] News – Page 140 – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Official 2026 Endorsements by the Miami-Dade Democratic Party(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] Florida's 24th District Race 2026: Who's Running? Candidates & Date(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [4] Miami-Dade Commish Gilbert funneled $3M to nonprofit ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [5] Our Vote = Our Power In Florida: 1199SEIU Members Endorse Slate ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [6] Herald endorsement: U.S. House District 24(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [7] Oliver Gilbert tops 7-way Democratic Primary for seat representing deep-blue CD 24(opens in a new tab) Aug 19, 2026
- [8] Shevrin Jones, Oliver Gilbert, Kendrick Meek Jr. lead 7-way ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 17, 2026
- [9] District 24 Needs Proven Results - M•I•A Media Group(opens in a new tab) Aug 11, 2026
- [10] The Miami Times Editorial Board endorsement: Oliver Gilbert for Florida's 24th Congressional District(opens in a new tab) Aug 4, 2026
- [11] OP-ED| Protect Democracy by Protecting the Vote(opens in a new tab) Aug 3, 2026
- [12] Miami-Dade service workers back ‘strong partner’ Oliver Gilbert for CD 24, vow to knock doors for him(opens in a new tab) Jul 31, 2026
- [13] Oliver Gilbert III says Experience and Results Set his ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 28, 2026
- [14] In Little Haiti, a debate over Trump's immigration agenda(opens in a new tab) Jul 24, 2026
- [15] Frederica Wilson taps Oliver Gilbert to carry her torch in ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 22, 2026
- [16] Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris endorses Oliver ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 16, 2026
- [17] Campaigns to succeed Rep. Wilson launch from the pulpit(opens in a new tab) Jun 10, 2026
- [18] Oliver G. Gilbert III — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Aug 16, 2023
- [19] Miami Gardens Mayor: To Address Violence, Engage Youth(opens in a new tab) Aug 21, 2018