Little Haiti is about to get a front-row seat to one of South Florida’s most-watched political battles. A high-profile forum, "The Road to Congress: The Battle for Florida’s 24th District," is set for Wednesday, July 22 at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, giving voters an in-person look at the crowded field vying to replace U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson. Organizers say multiple media partners and community groups are teaming up to host a live conversation ahead of the August primary.
Who’s hosting and moderating
The forum is being presented by the Miami Herald in partnership with M•I•A Media Group, NBCUniversal and public radio station WLRN. On stage, NBC6 anchor Jawan Strader and Miami Herald Editorial Opinion Editor Amy Driscoll will steer the discussion. The Herald’s executive editor Alex Mena framed the event as part of a bigger mission, saying, "The Miami Herald believes informed communities make stronger decisions," according to the Miami Herald.
Who’s showing up
Organizers say the forum is free and open to the public, and M•I•A Media Group has confirmed that several of the race’s higher-profile contenders will be on stage. Per M•I•A Media Group, the confirmed list includes Te Mayonna Brown, Marshall L. Davis Sr., Oliver Gilbert, Shevrin Jones, Kendrick Meek Jr., Jean Monestime, Rudolph Moise and Roderick Vereen.
Open seat and stakes
The seat is open after Rep. Frederica Wilson announced she will not seek reelection, a decision that scrambled the political map for District 24. Ten candidates have qualified to run in the race, according to the Miami Herald. Wilson’s departure has forced would-be successors to sharpen their pitches on housing, wages and immigration as they head into the fall campaign, the Miami Herald reports.
When and how to attend
The forum will be held Wednesday, July 22, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. and the program scheduled to run until about 9 p.m. at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, 212-260 NE 59th Terrace. Organizers say admission is free. Voters should also mark their calendars for the primary on Aug. 18, 2026, listed on the official Miami‑Dade ballot, which includes the District 24 contest for the August primary.
What to watch
Affordable housing, wage policy and education have already taken center stage in this race and are likely to dominate again in Little Haiti. At a previous town hall, those issues drove much of the back and forth, giving voters an early sense of where candidates split. Coverage of the June 30 showdown at Florida Memorial found that affordability and education framed the debate, a preview of the themes residents can expect to hear repeated on July 22.
